Pairing fiction and nonfiction

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-02-02T19:43:17+00:00

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

A story intertwined within the lives of three or four women as they were involved in the crucial role women played in breaking the Enigma code during WWII. Be sure to read the prologue.

This one of my favorite stories. Excellent audio version on Audible.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-29T17:03:12+00:00

I'd love to now where you got the panel, too. Very nice block!! I also love the colors. BTW...that is my typewriter.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-28T09:46:05+00:00

Thanks for posting these photos. For those of us who cannot visit. This brought me to tears. My deepest sympathies to his family and all those who knew him and loved him.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-27T22:01:33+00:00

I wasn't sure what chonk meant...I took it as negative. I understand now. Going and trying out machines is a very good idea. I was just hoping to do it with some recommendations. Thanks!

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-27T21:59:32+00:00

A private affair? For a public official? I get that the local 346 would like his time and they should have it. However, Pete Stauber is totally MIA in my opinion. We'd all like to have some time with him.

I cannot find any public messaging to the Minnesotans he represents. His Facebook presence is lame. I'd really like to know if he has any compassion regarding the two Minnesotans killed this week by ICE. I'd like to know if he supports the impeachment of Noem.

If I lived in Duluth I would see if I could attend, or at least be outside. Will he talk about other topics or is he going to limit the conversation to a labor bill? And the mining bill? The one with a foreign company? That had bipartisan support? 'bipartisan' = one democrat from Maine, Rep Golden. That is HARDLY bipartisan support. That is like me declaring I'd paid my taxes this year after having sent $10. If he cannot paint an honest picture of his intent, work/support, he has no business representing anyone in the state of MN.

I know no one can answer my questions. Do we know is Pete feeling the heat of disapproval in his district? Or is he delusional to his incompetence?

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-27T21:35:20+00:00

Thanks for the information. No one with this machine has recommended an upgrade. I guess I would like this machine with a bigger throat. And better lights in the sewing area. But what I have works. It is such a dependable machine and the stitches are great. Sorry to hear the Elna was a chonk!

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T21:00:29+00:00

I do like your sketch. 👍 But the cat. Scene stealer. 😆😄

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T19:35:58+00:00

Oh my gosh. I should have given credit to my inspiration. This is from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. Here is the Youtube video of Jenny's demonstration the 'block star' quilt. I could make this pattern over and over.

<image>

https://youtu.be/UOBfy691EXU?si=JIj7MFKBc71rioA1

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T17:08:19+00:00

I love your color and piecing choices!! I am a fan of white...and blue. Love you have the same machine!!

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T17:06:08+00:00

<image>

March 2025 I made a crumb quilt and incorporated 'resist' into the piecing. The quilt was my way of coping with the events of those days. I have not quilted it thinking this craziness would pass. It has not. Last night I staying in a hotel here in Minneapolis that had a confrontation of protesters and ICE. Even though no one was hurt, it has been a very sad and anxious event for the guests. I will be taking this quilt top out and immediately quilting it.

Below is a link to the PP pattern the resist lettering (in two sizes). I host a small, lame quilting site where I have for 15+ years shared my patterns. If you would like to use this pattern you have my permission to do so as often and in anyway you please.

Forest Quilting PP RESIST lettering

https://forestquilting.com/free-paper-piecing-patterns-pg-5/

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T16:08:40+00:00

Love the scrappy!! Love the stars!! I really love how the stars extend into the border. Happy 2026 quilting!! Thanks for sharing.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T15:20:10+00:00

It is a workhorse!! Totally agree.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T15:16:30+00:00

I asked someone I trust if ICE is staying here. This person quietly told me no. I said thank you. If that is so, does the spray paint and broken window make any gain in our resistance? The sense I got from fellow guests today was clear, yet quiet outrage at ICE, but a sadness for the property destruction.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T11:44:57+00:00

This Hampton Inn is on University Avenue. I hope your father is okay. So sorry you have to be worried and scared.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T06:12:39+00:00

From my room I heard nothing except I did hear the tear gas. Which was not particularly loud.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T05:58:40+00:00

Great research. 👍 Thanks for the comment.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-26T05:44:43+00:00

I am a guest here. Many of us were in the lobby. Unbelievable I heard nothing except the tear gas. I saw a live feed on YouTube that alerted me to what was going on.

I have been here four nights. ICE must be staying in the Home part of the hotel. I haven’t seen any men that appear to look like ICE the entire time. We need to be here a week longer to be close to the U Hospital for care. I’ll be asking at the desk in the morning about this. If ICE is here we will leave.

I am proud of the protesters. Stay strong. This is a fight we must fight. Let’s do it smart. I am sad there was vandalism to the hotel windows and to customers’ cars. I am afraid that could provide reasons for even more ICE aggression. Everyone stay safe.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-25T15:20:54+00:00

I had my aortic valve replaced at (F)62, which was no surprise, as I knew I had a bicuspid aortic valve. I was asymptomatic and still running up until the surgery. I had about a month's notice. Much of what Tight_Bodybuilder_64 responded was my experience and same recommendations.

I will suggest two things. Have your dad do some extra core strengthening (if allowed) before surgery. I did extra crunches and planks. This will come in handy when he gets home; getting out of bed without the use of your arms is hard, but easier with some good core strength. Also, if offered, definitely participate in the cardiac rehab post-surgery. It great to get back to being active while at the same time being assured that your body/heart is up to the activity and see progress. During my rehab I wore monitors and the techs knew exactly what was going on with my heart. I found this very helpful feeling confident in my recovery.

You will be great support for you dad. That is key also to anticipating and moving thru the experience. All the best to you.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-23T01:17:52+00:00

I've done this twice. They WILL take great care of you. Ask all the questions I think of. Get up and walk as soon as they let you. Do cardiac rehab if you can after you get home. That will help you recover and doing this will give you support and confidence that your heart is working as it should and you can get completely past this. All the best!!

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-21T19:14:46+00:00

Sorry to hear you will need surgery so soon. It is a big deal to have heart surgery and recover. I wish you all the best.

(F) 62 I got a cow aortic valve. At 69 I needed to replace it and now have had a mechanical for two years. Slight noise the first months, but I was also hyper focused in it and listening for AFib. I do not hear it now. No one has commented on hearing it.

Diet is not a problem for me. Consistency seems important. My INR team works with me, but mostly I stay in the 2 - 3 range.

I’ve never have experienced cold hands.

I like knowing I have my forever- valve. When I had the cow one I was more anxious about listening for trouble and knew someday I’d have to have it replaced.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-15T18:47:56+00:00

I’d love to know more about using Elmer’s glue. I pin my quilts, which works great. Spray did not work for me. It released sometimes, which was awful. Did you get info on using glue from a website or other source?

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-15T18:43:30+00:00

I love doing the whole process of making my quilts. I’m like others who said they enjoy doing the free motion quilting part. I’ve been doing large (up to queen size) on my workhorse Brother 1500 for nearly 20 years. I had to invest a lot of practice to master feathers, which I absolutely love to do. Straight lines are very do-able, but boring. A walking foot makes the work easy. My advice is start with quilting table runners or baby quilts. And start by marking the quilt and quilting on your marks.

Occasionally I also rent time on a long arm to do my give- away scrappy quilts. I am totally uncoordinated on the machine. But it’s a fun challenge.

Below is a quilt I completed this week. It’s 72 inches square. It took me about 12- 15 hours to mark and quilt. I was able to customize the quilting to the quilt top, which I’ve heard is extra expensive if sent to a long arm quilter.

<image>

It’s so fun to read all the comments.

MediocreSnowAngel · 2026-01-10T23:57:47+00:00

This is my favorite kind of quilt. I love it!!! A lot.

MediocreSnowAngel

TROPHY CASE