Star Island, Part 2

I did get some time in the sewing room last week, but not enough to complete the Star Island quilt. I finished stitching the last few blocks, arranged them on my design board and sewed the quilt top. 

The layers are now sandwiched and pinned, ready for quilting. Tomorrow I'll choose a quilting design and thread color. Final photos and details will come next Monday.

Camping for two weeks is wonderful, but there's a little work involved afterward to get back to normal. Unloading food, gear, clothes, and supplies takes longer at the end of the season since anything that might freeze has to come in. The camper got a thorough cleaning inside and out, then winterized for storage.

What else kept me busy? Two weeks worth of laundry. Putting away all the stuff we unloaded. The cupboard was nearly bare, so grocery shopping was necessary. (I put that off as long as possible; it is not my favorite activity.) Routine household chores.

Sometimes daily life gets in the way of quilting.

Independence

What a concept.

Independence means freedom from control, influence, support, aid, or interference of others.

In other words, standing on our own two feet and being proud to do so.

This includes not expecting handouts from the government, our parents, or our grandparents. Independence isn't easy, nor is it guaranteed. The world doesn't owe us anything: not a place to live, an inheritance, a job, or an education.

Too many people think they deserve to have everything provided, so they feel disrespected or offended if things don't go as they wish. They just don't get that we have to actively pursue and earn our independence.

Independence is being responsible for ourselves: learning, working, bringing home a paycheck, using these funds to pay bills—on time, and putting some aside for the future. It's planning, making decisions, using common sense, enjoying life, and finding our way on our own.

I believe that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. I'm proud that our forefathers fought for our freedom and our right to pursue happiness and independence.

“Freedom cannot be bestowed — 

it must be achieved.”

Elbert Hubbard

Excuses, Excuses

Can you believe the excuses people come up with?  Most everyone has used some excuse or another during their life; it's just human nature to try to explain or justify action or inaction.  People usually recognize when they are being brushed off with a lame excuse, and most would rather hear the simple truth.  

The bottom line, though, is that each of us should take responsibility, own up to mistakes, and commit to doing our part, without excuses.  

“Nobody is impressed with 

how good your excuses are.”  

--Unknown

“He that is good for making excuses 

is seldom good for anything else.” 

--Benjamin Franklin

Eight Campground Observations

Spending a couple of weeks at a Tennessee campground is definitely an experience. It is mostly enjoyable, with lazy days spent taking walks, reading, grilling, and exploring the surrounding area. You can learn a lot about yourself and others by people watching.  After camping at least 10 weeks a year for the past four years, I offer the following observations:

1. Campgrounds are really dog parks with humans along merely to serve as caretakers for the animals. This past weekend I counted more dogs than people. Hasn't anyone heard of boarding or pet sitters? I've seen one cat and one pig, but I'm expecting any time to encounter a pet monkey. 
    
2. There are a LOT of inconsiderate people out there. They ignore rules like quiet hours and checkout times. They don't keep track of their kids. They tromp across others' campsites. They burn plastic in their campfires. Some blatantly let their dogs run loose even though they are required to be on leash at all times. 
    
3. Fortunately there are many more fun, friendly and interesting folks. They share travel stories, tell fish tales, respect privacy, and are a genuine pleasure to be around. 
    
4. There are three styles of campsites. The junky ones bring everything they own and scatter it all over the site like a city dump full of toys, appliances, gear, pet cages, trash, shoes, towels, seasonal decorations, extra vehicles, you name it. Minimalists bring things out as they need them, then immediately stow them away. Average sites have a rug, chairs, grill, lights, bikes, and a few bits of neatly arranged gear. 
    
5. On a row of campsites, odds are the one right next to yours will be occupied even if the others are empty. 
    
6. Watching kids fishing, laughing, playing, and roasting marshmallows brings a smile to nearly everyone. That being said, why bring squalling babies along on a camping trip? They don't get anything out of it, they annoy the people nearby, and it can't be much fun for mom.
    
7. There is always at least one person with questionable attire showing some body part in a way that could potentially strike you blind (or make you wish you were). 
    
8. It's Tennessee: the weather will change and the forecast may be inaccurate. It will probably rain at least one day.

I still love being here, though...it beats working by a long shot!

Today I Will

Responsibility

re·spon·si·bil·i·ty

: the quality or state of being responsible, answerable, or accountable

: a duty or task that one is required or expected to do

: something that one should do because it is morally right or legally required
: a person or thing for which one is responsible

There are many people in the world who never, ever, take responsibility. They slide through life declaring “It's not my fault” or “That's not my problem.” They lie to cover up mistakes, to get out of sticky situations and to avoid accountability.
 
I prefer those folks who do the right thing. They take care of their family, help others, abide by the rules, and behave in a responsible manner. They are the friends you'd like to have, and the ones you'd rather be around. Most of them do these things automatically, happily and without hesitation, because that's how they are made. 
 
I'm grateful that my parents taught me responsibility, because I expect that the good Lord or karma will hold me accountable one day.  


Useful Notions:
“I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime.” ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” ~Anthony Robbins

A Great Excuse To Be Late

I'm late posting today's message, but I have a great excuse...I've been hanging out with my mama, Sam. This morning we had coffee on the back porch, and sorted through some of her clothes. She's staying with us while she recovers from a recent illness. Actually, we almost lost her, so I am very happy to be able to spend time with her now. It's good that she's here since she would have no help or anyone to talk with at her place.

It is occasionally a bit stressful to have another person sharing the house, but the fun times make it all worthwhile. My sweet husband is helping a lot, joking around, and doing nice things for both of us. Sam's always been feisty, so she's determined to recover enough to go back home and drive her car again. Whether or not that happens, I think she's doing well with her home physical therapy. She's still weak and gets tired easily, but we did have a short outing last Thursday to get her hair highlighted and cut. A sassy new do is a wonderful pick-me-up! I'm getting mine done this week.

I'm grateful for this opportunity, even if it makes me late, or keeps me from other tasks. The ordinary things will get done eventually. What's important now is Sam. After all, she's my mama and she made plenty of sacrifices for me.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. 

– Cynthia Ozick

Listen People: Life Doesn't Owe You Anything

Let me rephrase that: there is no free ride. You have to make your own way in life, earn your own money, and pay your own bills. If there's something you want or need, save for it. Don't go running to mama or expect the government to take care of you.

There's no law, written or unwritten, that says your parents have to provide for you forever. They don't have to give you money when you run out, buy you a car, pay your rent, or leave you anything in their will.  Their responsibility for raising you ends when you become an adult. Sure, most parents are happy to assist their children and grandchildren occasionally, when they can. But that generosity doesn't mean they are obligated to do so until the end of time.

Grow up! You're supposed to leave the nest. Act like an adult, go out and provide for yourself. No matter how old you are, stop blaming others for your problems. Stop waiting for someone or something to make life easier for you.  How can you demand support from someone if you barely acknowledge their presence?  You can't take advantage of, mistreat, or cheat others and expect something nice in return.

Take responsibility for your own life and for your own happiness. You can choose to make your situation better by changing your attitude. Be realistic about your wants and needs. If you want to just get by, that's fine, but don't expect others to carry your load. Take a good look at your life, evaluate what isn't working, then make positive changes toward improvement. 

Life doesn't owe you anything...you owe it to yourself.

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide 
your problems are your own. 

You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. 

You realize that you control your own destiny.  ~Albert Ellis

Don't take advantage of family or true friends, 
because in the end they're all you've got. 

~Anonymous

^^^^^^