Author Archives: Holly

About Holly

fiber person - knitter, spinner, weaver who spent 33 years being a military officer to fund the above. And home. And family. Sewing and quilting projects are also in the stash. After living again in Heidelberg after retiring (finally) from the U.S. Army May 2011, we moved to the US ~ Dec 2015. Something about being over 65 and access to health care. It also might have had to do with finding a buyer for our house. Allegedly this will provide me a home base in the same country as our four adult children, all of whom I adore, so that I can drive them totally insane. Considerations of time to knit down the stash…(right, and if you believe that…) and spin and .... There is now actually enough time to do a bit of consulting, editing. Even more amazing - we have only one household again. As long as everyone understands that I still, 40 years into our marriage, don't do kitchens or bathrooms. For that matter, not being a golden retriever, I don't do slippers or newspapers either. I don’t miss either the military or full-time clinical practice. Limiting my public health/travel med/consulting and lecturing to “when I feel like it” has let me happily spend my pension cruising, stash enhancing (oops), arguing with the DH about where we are going to travel next and book buying. Life is good!

The Peacock Tree

Designed by ModernFolkEmbroidery the two greens are #12 Perle Cotton from Theadworx and the Ocean Blues is also Threadworx but embroidery floss. Stitched on an 18ct aida from stash.About 42xx stitches. Easy peasy. I also finished Part 4 on the … Continue reading

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Phone do-loops

There are a number of Filk songs about computer programing, stupid programing, and getting stuck in an endless do-loop. And then there is the VA phone system. First, you have to listen to about 2 minutes of “gratuitous mental health … Continue reading

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Octopus

I have new towels. Ordered from Calamityware during one of Don’s kickstarters. I have a number of their fun things and have purchased more than a few items for gifts. The quality is excellent, but I find their shipping costs … Continue reading

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Kiting checks

I was thinking this morning,  which is always a dangerous thing to do. I was placing an entry in my check register this past Tuesday and thinking out how infrequently any of us use a checkbook anymore. And certainly not … Continue reading

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Plateau

Looks like I was a bit too optimistic yesterday claiming I felt better. Then I spent all of last nght coughing which has continued into today. So not fun. All of this is compounded by the presence of a mid-week … Continue reading

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Getting better

each day that is going by. Coughing a bit less and my energy level is a bit more. Today was good enough that I ran a couple of errands before conducting a search and seizure in the garage. As it … Continue reading

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What was the old story?

Oh, yes the brave tailor – seven with one blow. He meant flies…. But anyway, I count today as a success with managing to accomplish two tasks with one trip to SF. The first was to pick up my new … Continue reading

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Mel’s Original Diner

I am sure that there are a lot of Mel’s Diners out there. The one in Pinole (Contra Costa County) here in the east bay is the one that Alex (son-in-law) and I have been going to every week or … Continue reading

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Roll ‘Em!

Before I get into my plans for this coming year, let me provide a quick summary of the last two weeks. UGH! Someone brought COVID home, I got it + a secondary pneumonia. Did I mention that this was within … Continue reading

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Braving the city

In this case the city in question is San Francisco and the object of my trip was on Golden Gate Ave. Rather than be insane enough to drive, I had George drop me off at North Berkeley BART just before … Continue reading

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Sleeping in

Late enough that the coffee at my bedside was stone cold.  I took today as another day on which not to push myself. Just did a few small tasks, sorted out some floss, and looked at a list of projects … Continue reading

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Set for January

Back to the stitching stuff – which is extremely boring for a few cruisers and non-stitchers reading this. So, I will be polite and cover those areas first. It was laundry day. Aren’t you just thrilled? Four loads pretty much … Continue reading

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Coughing isn’t fun

No one needs to listen to me whine, which is all I have felt like. Also explains why I am not bothering to send out mass emails. It all started perhaps on Saturday night, but certainly by Sunday I wasn’t … Continue reading

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Three Dog Night

If you are as old (or older) than George & I, perhaps you remember the group Three Dog Night from their hit days (1969-1974). Two references for you – first – the actual band website here – and secondly my … Continue reading

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The Ninth Dragon

I thought I had finished this particular SAL around the end of October, took a photo, slapped it with the other FOs and hung it up. There was this empty space that sort of didn’t look right, but I was … Continue reading

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Feeling Lousy

After running a fever for three days and coughing I figured that my choices were to go into the Oakland VA outpatient clinic today or run a risk of having to drive to SF tomorrow to the ER. Having worked … Continue reading

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Secret Grove

This is a fun SAL from a new to me Dutch designer. Her designs are quirky and colorful. This finishes Part 3/10 of the Secret Grove SAL. I will be adding her designs to my very short list of designers … Continue reading

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Old Stitcher

from Longdog Samplers. Started on the cruise, finished today (the 343 remaining stitches). One of my friends provided the background on the pattern: it is a smaller piece extracted from Jules new Fisher King Pattern which I love but it … Continue reading

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Dragged ourselves out

of the house and to Haas Pavilion. Two women’s basketball games today, two tomorrow. I had figured to walk into Berkeley, then up the hill to Haas. George had a memorial service to attend today at 1000 in Palo Alto. … Continue reading

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Ears

The Oakland VA clinic has a PA who has done additional training in ENT.  I had an appointment this morning to get my ears checked, cleaned out as necessary etc. Did I mention that I have had serious hearing problems … Continue reading

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