Separation

There are many who would argue there is a war on Christmas and that Christians in the United States are being persecuted. Their position on both issues is incorrect.

It is important to go back to the beginning. Not of the Universe or the world but of the United States constitution. The first amendment states the following.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof'; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The first amendment passed the House and Senate with almost no debate. This has complicated what the intent of the amendment was. Thomas Jefferson wrote the following in 1802 regarding the first amendment.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties."

The Supreme Court used the words Jefferson wrote to determine that Congress was deprived of all legislative power over religious opinion. It was left free to act only on those religious actions which were in violation of social duties or subversive of good order. Simply put Congress could make a law that human sacrifice was illegal since it was a violation of social duty and subversive to good order. In 1947 Justice Hugo Black writing for the majority in the case of Everson b. Board of Education stated the following.

"The "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion to another... in the words of Jefferson, the [First Amendment] clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect a wall of separation between church and State.... That wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach."

In 1984 the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island argued that it had a right to fund religious Christmas displays using taxpayer money. The five conservative members of the Supreme Court agreed that the First Amendment did not forbid the city from funding religious displays. Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote that the image of Christ in a manger was "a celebration of a public holiday with traditional symbols" and served a "legitimate secular purposes." So the door separating Church and State started to swing open.

In 1989 the city of Pittsburgh place religious displays including a Hanukkah menorah and a nativity scene in the Allegheny County Courthouse. The Supreme Court ruled the nativity scene endorsed Christianity because an angel held a banner which declared "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" (Glory to God in the Highest) The nativity scene was large and near the grand staircase of the courthouse. The menorah didn't unconstitutionally endorse religion because it was outside the courthouse near a Christmas tree and a sign saluting liberty. The menorah was determined by the Court to be a celebration of the winter holiday season which has attained secular status in our society. The message given in this case was that government can allow and even finance religious displays on government property as long as they don't appear to be favoring one religion over another. Most units of government assumed they retained the right to refuse any religious display that strayed to far from what they considered decent. Then another case came along.

Rosenberger v. University of Virginia which dealt with a student who wanted UVA to give him money to print Christian magazines. The state university refused stating its rules forbade it from funding sectarian publications. The Supreme Court's five conservative members ruled the decision by UVA violated the student's free speech rights. When UVA decided to start funding student publications like newspapers and magazines the Court held the University had to fund all publications regardless of the content. It basically states the following. If the state opens a forum for a certain category of expression it doesn't get to choose who can express themselves or how they get to express themselves even if that expression conveys offensive ideas in an odious manner the state cannot censor it.

That brings us full circle to this. The Satanic Temple wants to place a display in the Florida State Capitol building. It started with the state allowing a Christian group to erect a nativity scene that clearly endorses Christianity. Given the decision in Rosenberger now the door is open to all groups. An atheist group hung a banner about the winter solstice celebrating the Bill of Rights and freedom from religion. Another atheist built a Festivus pole made of beer cans and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster added a small pile of holy noodles in the capitol's hall. The Satanic Temple wants to erect a display featuring an angel falling into a pit of fire but officials turned it down claiming it was grossly offensive. The final nail in the coffin of separation of church and state involves the recent Hobby Lobby decision regarding birth control. The Supreme Court considered claims of Christians who claimed they believed IUDs cause abortions. Science says they do not but the five conservative justices refused to consider the plaintiff's sincerity simply taking it on faith that their protestations were genuine. In so doing the Court may have stripped itself of the ability to question's plaintiff's beliefs unless they want to flagrantly favor Christian plaintiffs.

So there is no war on Christians or on Christmas. The Christian community and the conservative members of the Supreme Court attempted to give preferential treatment to Christian groups and in so doing have opened the door to any group who wants to make a display where a Christian one is allowed. The United States was not created as a "Christian" nation. It was created as a nation where a person's religious beliefs were as Jefferson wrote "a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship". Those religious displays, approved by religious conservatives have opened a door which the founders of this country intended to remain forever closed.

Thanksgiving 2014

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving on Tybee Island. Here are just a few of my thoughts on Thanksgiving in general.

This has become my favorite Thanksgiving tradition. Our granddaughter Johnnie Lynn hanging out with her Uncle Beau after the meal.

Seems like Americans were more generous and forgiving back then.

I think we've all been there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Just Thinking

Everyone is getting tired of hearing about Ferguson, Missouri and the issues surrounding the death of Michael Brown. Maybe now is not the best time to sound off. If not now, then when? Michael Brown was shot to death by police officer Darren Wilson. The facts beyond those remain a question in the minds of many. For those who like conspiracies we can add this one to the list that includes the following. Who killed John F. Kennedy? Who killed Jimmy Hoffa? Where the hell was Barak Obama born? Whatever happened to baby Jane? Where's Waldo? In the 24 hour news cycle rush to report anything and to be the first, far too much incorrect information has clouded the conversation. News has gone from reporting facts to spouting opinions, feelings and rumors. Far too many cannot distinguish those things from facts. There are many questions about what happened in Ferguson. No facts tonight from me just questions.

Officer Wilson stated today the he felt justified in his actions. That race played no part in his decision to pull the trigger multiple times killing Michael Brown. He contends he acted in accordance with procedure, the rule of law and his extensive police training. Those are all things he should be saying. The federal government is conducting an investigation to determine if he violated Michael Brown's civil rights. If he stated something other than what he did then he opens the door to a charge that he violated those rights. What seemed interesting in what he said was that the area where he was working was not seen as police friendly. When unarmed young black men are shot to death in the street by police perhaps the feeling is deserved. The problem it would seem to me is community policing. If the police were out of the cars more, on the streets, interacting with the public it would be a better system. If the officers wore body cameras there would be a record of the encounter that went beyond what the officer claimed happened. Clearly in this case we don't have he said vs. he said. Michael Brown lost his voice back in August. Officer Wilson was not carrying a taser. It would have provided the opportunity to use a nonlethal method to resolve this confrontation. He claimed the taser was too bulky. Michael Brown might be alive today if Officer Wilson had been willing to carry one.

Did race play a role in this confrontation? When you look back at what has happened in the last year you have to wonder. There was a well publicized confrontation in Nevada between Cliven Bundy, a group of armed white men and women and the Federal Bureau of Land Management. The armed group pointed weapons at and threatened federal agents. No shots were fired and no arrests were made. Put the same scene in Ferguson, Missouri only change things around just a bit. Now the people holding the guns and refusing to obey lawful orders from law enforcement are persons of color. Are shots fired by law enforcement? One would almost surely expect that to be the outcome. Are the police more likely to fire their weapons at a person of color? Studies indicate they are more likely to arrest them. Shoot them? You be the judge of that.

Why was the grand jury result released after dark? It seems that the prosecutor was just looking for trouble. Announce after dark when you know folks have had all day to plan what they would do if there were no charges brought. They had time to work themselves into a frenzy. It in no way excuses their actions. It just seems the situation would have been easier to control during the day. There were those who argued that children would be out during the day. School had been cancelled with the expectation that there would be trouble. Probably better the kids are home at night listening to gun fire, smelling tear gas and watching the fires light the night sky. It is also unfortunate that a criminal element is always willing and able to show up to take advantage of any situation. Destroying and looting businesses in your home town seems like a poor way to protest the death of a fellow citizen and the failure of the authorities to find anyone responsible.

Something needs to change. It won't. It needs to, it should, but it won't. We are Americans. Our history is full of mistrust, of oppressed minorities. Of killings with guns. Of a system that seems less focused on determining the truth than it does on maintaining the status quo. The real issue isn't that Michael Brown was shot to death by Darren Wilson. It started a long time before that happened. It will exist a long time after both those names are a footnote in a history book. As long as we are willing to see other through a lens of skin color these kinds of things will continue to happen. Maybe Officer Wilson is telling the truth. Maybe his actions would have been the same if Michael Brown had been white. The problem is that no one on the other side believes that to be the case. Is it possible Officer Wilson is right and all of them are wrong? The truth is that it doesn't matter. Perception is reality and that is how the confrontation is viewed by the majority of those living in Ferguson. Until we are able to change the perceptions on both side-- well, nothing changes but the names of the shooters and the victims.

500

This is my 500th blog post. It is one of those times to reflect on things. My first thought is to say thank you to everyone who takes the time to read whatever it is that I choose to write. When I write about sensitive issues like politics or religion it is not my intent to offend. I am sure that happens but this is my forum to express my thoughts. More often than not when I write on those two subjects I am attempting to find out some nugget of truth, some northern star to guide my path. All too often I find none exists. Our politicians talk about the will of the people, when it suits their purpose. If Congress cared about the "will" of the people we would have universal health care, gun control and immigration reform. Better schools, more jobs, rebuilt roads and bridges are also what the people want. We are getting none of those things. Why? Because those in charge only care about our collective will when it suits their purpose or the purpose of those who spend millions getting them elected. Since the Supreme Court determined that money is speech a few people have been able to shout while the rest of us whisper. Wonder who is being heard?

I wanted to thank readers for tolerating my posts about Lily Lu and Candy Mae, parades on Tybee, Squares in Savannah, the Immortal 500, Wormsloe, and the other personal and historic things I find fascinating about the world. BlogSpot keeps track of which posts are viewed and which are the most viewed. One entitled Humor leads the list. Other popular posts have included Johnnie's Vacation and to my surprise Cribben and Sexton. I never know what is going to be popular so I just prattle on about whatever crosses my mind on a day. Sometimes a road sign raises my curiosity about a place. Sometimes and article on the internet. Something in a book or in the newspaper. There always seems to be more to the story and I usually want to know what the rest of the story entails.

I do want to take a minute to talk about Facebook. I am becoming increasingly disenchanted with what goes on there. It seems to have gotten to political and increasingly hateful. I cannot understand the need to make rude and ignorant statements about other folks beliefs, politics, race, religion, or any other personal issues. It seems more and more to be a place of intolerance and hate often disguised as political leanings or religious beliefs. I worry that kids exposed to the virtual anonymity of that will feel a freedom to express that teaches intolerance and hate. The same can be said when you read the comment sections of many news articles. Too much of what is presented as "news" in the past would have been presented as opinion. When I was a young man I don't remember complaints about the liberal or conservative media. The news, perhaps because of my youthful ignorance, did not seem to have a liberal or conservative bias. MSNBC and Fox News didn't exist then. Neither did CNN. The news was just presented as what happened. Truth, it seems to me, has no liberal or conservative bias. Now it seems that in order to get the full story I have to read several news articles from various sources to determine what the truth might be. It seems unfortunate that too many are willing to get all their news from one source or another and never realize there is more to the story than they know. I encourage each of you to take the time to make a well informed decision about issues. Don't believe everything you read even if I wrote it. Take some time and do some research. Issues are complicated and have many sides. You may see something no one else does, a solution no one else has developed.

Thanks for visiting here again and taking the time to read and think. It is always a joy for me to have you stop by for a look.

Immigration Reform- Let's Blame John

President Obama announced today that he will go on national television tomorrow night to announce changes he is making to immigration enforcement. There is a long history of presidents taking executive action regarding immigration policy. This marks the first time that Congress has tried to paint the president as an Emperor trying to impose his will above that of the Congress and the People. There are those who are attempting to paint this as a racial issue. The other presidents taking executive action were all white and President Obama is only half white. I disagree. The political world is so partisan at this point that it seems unlikely to me that if the president was white the reaction by Republicans would be any different. As far as the Speaker of the House and future Majority Leader in the Senate claiming that this action will "poison the well" or destroy any opportunity for bipartisan action on other issues. Really? After six years of fighting every issue and proposal now you are ready to act in a bipartisan manner. I think not.

So who is John and what does he have to do with immigration reform? John was here from another country in the early 1970's and his time to stay in the United States had expired. He wanted to stay but a conviction for possession of cannabis resin gave him little standing to stay. John and his wife wanted to remain here because her ex-husband had taken her daughter and disappeared somewhere in the United States. They wanted to remain to work together to find her. John's wife had made contributions to the arts in the United States and was allowed to stay. The United States government wanted John deported due to his stance against the Vietnam War and were using his cannabis conviction to bolster their case. John's attorney, Leon Wildes, argued that the documents he found showed the government had allowed deferred deportation action in 1,800 cases. He used the argument that deferred action had been used in those cases and could also be applied to John's case, This was the first time the deferred action argument had been made in court and the appeal which settled the case in 1975 allowed John to stay in the United States. It also provides the basis for the deferred actions being put into place by President Obama. He is not changing the law he is simply determining the enforcement actions that will be taken by the Department of Justice. It is similar to a policeman determine which car to stop when 10 cars speed by him. He can't enforce his limited resources against all of them and he is duty bound to enforce the law. Choices are made. You might be wondering John who? I wish there was a happier ending to this story as several years later on a street in New York City, John was shot to death. Maybe things would have ended differently if John Lennon had been deported.

Another Project

The plan this year was for me to make a quilt for each of our six granddaughters. It seemed like a good idea to give them something I had made with my own hands. Plans are always well intentioned but they don't always work out like you think they will. The quilt I am posting about tonight is the third of the six. The pattern is called Disappearing Nine Patch. You begin with a big stack of 5" square blocks and sew them together into this pattern.

So this is a single block. The color choice for this quilt was a combination of white, black and red fabrics. I realize some of these appear blue in the photograph but they are black.

The quilt consists of 24 of the 9 patch blocks. These are the blocks laid out together. Once this step is complete the blocks are cut into four equal sized pieces and sewed back together in a random pattern. So those blocks pictured above end up looking like this.

When the 24 blocks have been reconfigured to this look they are all sewn together to make a quilt top that looks like this.

The completed top will now be turned over to Carol for quilting. She will add batting in the center layer and a fabric on the back. Her quilting machine is beyond the capacity of my feeble mind but I will choose the pattern that is quilted into the fabric.

Seems like a strange way to make a quilt top doesn't it? Make perfectly good blocks and then cut them apart and rearrange the pieces to make something that looks completely different. Carol convinced me to try this and I must admit I am impressed with how it looks compared to what I had in mind. She really has a good eye for these things and IF, and that is a big IF, I am smart I will continue to heed her advice.

I Wish I Was My Dog

It has been a while since Lily Lu has been the feature of a blog post. One might wonder what a day in the life of Lily Lu is like. Well most days she acts as our alarm clock. She tells us that 6 am is the time to get moving. She doesn't recognize daylight savings time so the change in Spring and Fall messes her up for a while. We get up and take her for a short walk down Solomon Ave. so she can do what she needs to do. Generally after that it is a cup of coffee or two for us while Lily Lu takes a brief nap. Walking and sniffing for the right spots are tough jobs. After coffee it is time for our daily morning walk down to Jaycee park and a stroll around the half mile loop. The total walk is about a mile. Some days we see other people and dogs. Some days we don't. There are days we see some of the local characters. One guy we have nicknamed "Coffee Cup Man" because every time we see him he has a coffee cup in one hand. He must have a job somewhere that only requires the use of one hand. There is also an old man who jogs in the park. I'm 60 so when I say old I mean OLD. He looks to be well into his 80's. His feet never get far off the ground and his steps are short, but he is out there moving. After the walk we have breakfast. Lily Lu hangs close in case we are having something she likes. She also gets her daily Denta Stick. We have to keep her teeth clean. When breakfast is done she settles in for another nap. Either she is tired or we are really boring. Probably both.

Miss Lily Lu is relaxing on the guest bed. She likes it because it sits up high enough for her to see out the porch windows. Something might go by that requires her to alert us with a volley of barks. She almost always barks at the trash truck or any tractor that goes by.

Lily Lu is laying on our bed helping me determine what the best pattern would be for this quilt project. Always trying to be helpful.

Of course there are plenty of places to lay around in the house so she chose the living room love seat this time. The house was a little cool so she got covered up in her favorite blanket. If you get up from where you are sitting on the couch or love seat she will move and take the abandoned warm spot.

On with her day. At least once or twice each morning she whines to go out and we walk down to the corner and back. It is a half mile round trip. Sometimes she has a reason to go sometimes it is just for the opportunity to go outside and sniff.  Lunch here is at noon. Carol gives me a razzing from time to time about being on such a rigid schedule but I like lunch at noon. Lily again hangs around to see what we are having and if she can convince us she should get a bite or two. Some days at lunch she gets a hot dog or two. After lunch the real whining begins and that is usually when we take our long walk. Lily Lu and I go out and walk somewhere between 2 and 3.5 miles. By the time we get back she is ready for another nap and a big drink of water.

That's the look we get when we are having a meal. Lip a little curled and the give me some of that stare. After supper there are generally a couple of walks down to the corner and back. This time of year it gets dark early and she sees better at night than me. So every now and then there will be a quick jerk to the side when she spots something of interest. There is also one other thing that will upset her every time she sees one. Skateboarders. I don't know why but she will jump at them and bark like she would like to rip the wheels off that thing they are riding.

Some time around 10 pm we call it a night. Lily Lu normally sleeps with us now. She starts on top of the covers near our feet. If it gets too cold in the house for her she moves up, pulls the covers down with her paws and burrows under, down by our feet to get warm. If she gets too hot down there then it is back out on top of the covers. This may happen two or three times during the night. Then 6 am rolls around and we start a new day with the same routine. Not a bad life for a wonderful companion. Comfy places to sleep, table scraps and hot dogs to eat, lots of walks and attention.

Another Parade

There was another parade on Tybee Island today. Don't take the next comment as making light of the subject but someday here there will be a parade because it is Tuesday. Today's parade was to honor our military veterans and their families. When someone in the family serves it effects everyone in the family. When they go to war the family in a way goes with them. The family deals with the stress sometimes for years after the veteran returns from battle. They are never quite the same and neither is their family.

This is the Tybee Island American Legion Color Guard leading the parade and they are leading. At this point less than two blocks into the parade they have opened up a half block lead on the rest of the parade. When they got past us to the next intersection they stopped and marched in place so the parade could catch up to them. Don't let those older veterans fool you, they are still got getters and ass kickers.

This picture is included for two reasons. First, look at the Color Guard's feet. They are not walking down the street, they are marching. One man is calling out the cadence and the group is keeping perfect time. Impressive for folks who served many years ago. The second reason is the man in the wheelchair in the rear. He is the Chaplain. It serves to remind that not everyone escapes the battle unscathed.

This is just to show more clearly these are not young folks.

You see this jeep around town from time to time. It is marked as a Fort Screven MP vehicle in honor of the former military base on Tybee Island.

A bus load of parade participants.

The gentleman on the far right wearing the kilt looked over at me and suggested that I was being a bit wimpy for wearing a hoodie and hat on a day in the mid 50's with gusty wind. I never argue with a man who is comfortable wearing a skirt in public.

One of several parade floats.

This contingent of soldiers was from one of the local army bases. They were march to a cadence called out by the soldier walking on the side toward the camera. They were not shy about what they were saying or doing. It was an impressive sight.

The local Coast Guard station participated as well.

Some day when time allows I will have to check out what this group is.

There were about 10 motorcycles representing the Red Knights Motorcycle Club. Since they were participating I assume they are made up of former military.

Another parade float this one honoring Army Rangers.

This is where the parade started to get a bit weird. This is a local roller derby team. Not sure why they were in the parade other than to perhaps show their appreciation for veterans.

Another float.

The previous three photographs I cannot explain. What that was intended to say or mean in this parade is beyond my ability to understand. The last picture is included just to restate to anyone who wonders, the Civil War (here the War of Northern Aggression) is not over. If you wonder take a gander at the flag on the left side of the truck sporting the stars and bars of the Confederacy. It is the state flag of Georgia.

The float from the Crab Shack.

Bringing up the rear of the parade the Tybee Island Fire Department. Overall it was a nice parade and a good way to honor our local veterans and their families.

Random Rantings

So many things and so little time.

The Chicago Bears. The season began with many dreamers thinking that Chicago was headed to the Super Bowl. The season currently is in the Toilet Bowl. The team Bears fans want to see the Bears beat is the Green Bay Packers. Last Sunday night the Bears gave up 6 touchdown passes in the first half. On more than one reception the Packer receiver was open by more than 10 YARDS. There are many who would like to lay plenty of this blame on Jay Cutler. He does deserve some but come on folks when the defense gives up 42 points in the first half your quarterback had better be Jesus Christ because no one else is going to perform that miracle and get you back in the game. Lots of money was spent on the defensive side of the ball in the off season and it seems to have paid very little in dividends. The past two games the Bears defense has given up over 50 points in each one. It is time for a change in coaching staff starting with the defensive coordinator. Some of the players have not been playing up to their potential. Bench them and play the second or third string guys. Really, could they get beat any worse? Having kinda defended Jay Cutler it seems fitting he get brought down to size by this picture.

Corporations. Every week you seem to hear something about American based corporations complaining about the corporate income tax rate. The highest tax rate for corporations is 35%. This is above the rate for other countries but does not take into account the numerous write offs that mean corporations actually pay a lower rate. When you lump everything together the rate actually paid comes out at about 25% which is below the international average of about 28%. Still as a percentage of GDP the corporate tax rate generates a lower percentage of income now than it did in the 1950's. It reinforces my belief that the small guy is getting screwed over while the big players lobby and make contributions to change the rules to favor their positions.

We recently had one of those elections that folks are so proud to participate in. The Republican party won control of the United States Senate. No big surprise there. What seems surprising is now they want to, if you believe what they are saying on television, work in a bipartisan manner with the President. Really? Do we actually look that stupid? Turns out we do. After all in every state where the voters had a chance to sound off about raising the minimum wage it was supported by a majority. Yet on the same ballot the voters cast ballots to elect or reelect representatives who oppose raising the minimum wage. It appears based on more recent rhetoric from Republicans in Congress that their idea of bipartisan work is for the President to support what they want. If he doesn't then he isn't working with them. Not real good at this but I don't think that's how compromise works. There is however an explanation for our stupidity. We are infected.

Yes dear readers there is a stupidity virus. There is a virus named ATCXC-1 that attacks green algae in lakes and rivers. It can also infect the human brain impairing cognitive activity, learning and memory. It makes the infected person less intelligent. The current small study of 92 healthy adults found that 44% of them had the virus. The participants who had the virus performed 10% worse on cognitive tests and the study showed those infected had lower attention spans. This was also accompanied by a significant decrease in visual processing and visual motor speed. So, those dumb people you deal with out there every day- they are diseased.

Finally for today Facebook bullshit. There seems to be an increasing amount of stupid shit on Facebook. Conservative postings recently have been the worst. For example a WalMart in southern Florida was approached by a group of Muslims from the local area requesting the retailer carry Halal meat. It is meat blessed by the processor and is required as a tenant of faith. The conservative group posting about it asked if retailers should be required to carry Halal meat. The question had nothing really to do with what happened. The WalMart store manager made a decision based on market. If the product sells after being introduced they will continue to sell it. If it does not it will be dropped like other slow or money losers at WalMart. The group that approached WalMart was in no position to force the retailer to do anything. In a similar stupid post the question was asked if butchers should be jailed for selling pork to Muslims. If you took the time to read the article the butcher in question was selling pork to Muslims while claiming it was veal. He was not going to jail for selling pork to Muslims it was for misrepresenting his product. Of course, those commenting on the entries made stupid inappropriate comments about Muslims and spewed their hatred about anything from that religion. What do we expect? Seems we should expect exactly that since like the prior paragraph, they are infected with the stupidity virus. The only safe approach is to avoid stupid people before they infect you.

Quilt

I'm back. I took a few days off to recharge my thinking processes, do some walking and finish some quilt blocks. Originally the thought process was to complete about 16 blocks, lay them out and see how things looked. That happened on Monday. It seemed like the quilt needed more blocks so I added 4 more to make the total 20. Once that was done then some time tonight was spent laying them in different patterns to see how they looked.

The pattern is called log cabin. Here are all 20 blocks laid out in the same orientation. Not especially interesting. If you are wondering about the fabric some of it is from old bandanas of mine.

I found this pattern more interesting but the blue blocks seem to overwhelm the red.

This one looked pretty good with the blue blocks running down the center and half blocks on the upper and lower edges. Carol came in at my request to review and offer suggestions She suggested turning the upper left and lower left blocks so the blue was on all four corners.

The change was made in this picture and the quilt pattern was Lily Lu approved. She likes sleeping on the bed and thought since we were in the bedroom it was time to go to bed for the night.

As far as this quilt project goes now the blocks need to be sewed together, backing material selected, and the quilting done and binding put around the edges. Hopefully finished in the next week or so.

Evening at the Beach

Carol and I got invited to go to the beach last evening by a couple we met during the island wide yard sale a couple of weeks ago. It was going to be a chance to watch the moon rise over the Atlantic Ocean. I played with the camera for a while hoping to come up with a setting that would be able to capture the event. Since I don't have a tripod the idea was to use a combination of ISO speed and aperture opening. The results were iffy at best. If I'm going to get this right a tripod is going to be required. The bad news for the evening is that a cloud bank completely obscured the moon so there were zero moon pictures. The good news is that a group had been to the beach earlier in the day and created some nice sand sculptures. All of them were created below the high tide line which means that today they are all gone. Here are the pictures I took last night.