Summer Lull Activities

I realize that I have no scheduled posts until July! I am working on August published books now, so that won't fill the gap. I will likely finish some non-review books before July, but not enough to keep up my usual 3 posts a week.

This summer lull is when I often get to write about whatever I want to! I have some ideas for the coming weeks.

I gained my 500 Reviews Badge from NetGalley! I joined in 2014 after my husband's retirement. I have reviewed or given feedback on 519 books.

I have galleys added to my shelf:

• Eleanor, a new biography of Eleanor Roosevelt by David Michaels
• Once Upon a Time I Lived on Mars: Space, Exploration, and Life on Earth by Kate Greene offered to me by the publisher. Greene lived on a simulated Martian environment for four months!

I am currently reading 

• Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
• The Splendid and the Vile by Eric Larson
• A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty by Mimi Matthews

I am trying to finish my UFOs--Unfinished Objects in my quilt room. This week I finished the top for The Great Gatsby, years in the making. The hand applique blocks are all adapted from 1924 magazine ads and fashion illustrations. I had one block that I deleted and called it done. I plan on hand quilting it. The fabrics were created when the last movie version of the novel came out. That's how long I have worked on this idea!

The Great Gatsby Storybook Quilt
by Nancy A. Bekofske

I ordered fabric to make a quilt I have wanted to make since 1993--the Mountain Mist Water Lilies pattern! It will be a lot of work! All of those flower petals...the bias stems in the borders...Yes, I am crazy.

Michigan is also having a 'lull' in COVID-19 cases with the lowest number reported since March 18. Gov. Whitmer's lock-down has suppressed the virus extremely well.

Restaurants and retail shops are opening up with preventative protocols--masks, limited customers, hand sanitizer, frequent cleaning. Next week hair salons will reopen. My husband has scheduled a doctor's and dentist appointment in the next weeks. Gotta make hay while in this 'lull'.

A lull in hot weather had us out weeding and mulching the gardens. We installed the front garden three years ago. The roses and geranium are now in bloom and the coneflowers in bud. On the side of the house, the day lilies are in bud and the Stella d'Oro lilies blooming.

 The little bird house was made by my brother.

In February we ordered an ottoman and it arrived last week. It is from the same company as our settees, Younger Furniture, manufactured in America. We can use it as a footstool, coffee table, or extra seating.

The library is reopening for drop offs only, so no book club yet. The community center where the quilt group meets has not reopened. We were Zooming but with nice weather are meeting in the city park. We bring chairs and social distance, have show and tell and lunch.

Sadly, just after I wrote this I learned that one of our founding members, Shirley Williams, passed at age 95 after suffering a stroke. I wrote a post about her 91st birthday here. A lady who was helping Shirley with a quilt brought it in to share. It includes photos of 36 members of the Clawson Quilting Sisters!

Shirley William's last quilt project features
the Clawson Quilting Sisters

Our grandpuppy Sunny went on an adventure with her momma who is on furlough. To fill the lull, they went camping in Ohio with a group of dog owners. Sunny learned about lake water, played with the big dogs and another puppy, and returned home exhausted and hungry.

Home Again...

Ellie stayed home with our son who works from home. She enjoyed being the only dog in the house again!

My brother takes the most beautiful photos on his nature walks. I had to share these of the Huron River at Mill Creek Park.

Last of all my news is that today is my 48th Wedding Anniversary! What a trip it has been! We are going to order a delivered meal from a favorite Lebanese restaurant.

Nancy and Gary, June 17, 1972