First Book Read in 2009!

The first book I finished was Al Capp's The Hardhat's Bedtime Story Book. I picked it up at a library sale awhile back.

It was written in 1971 (well, I think parts were written earlier) and has a very conservative/libertarian slant. I found it interesting that so many people that Capp talked about are still on the national stage (Ted Kennedy, Jane Fonda, Ramsey Clark, and until recently Paul Newman). On the other hand, some of the characters feel like ancient history.

One of my favorite quotes that still seems very timely is:

"You'd think our institutions --- from the New York Times down to David Frost's interview show --- which can exist only under our system, would be sane enough not to encourage their announced demolishers.

"But they don't seem to get the message. Not until it's too late.

"You feel like saying, 'To he-- with them --- they deserve what they get.'

"But you can't.

"Because when they get it, we get it too."

[from p. 79. And Capp didn't say he double hockey sticks, he used the real word.]

Feeling Crafty

In the last several weeks, I have made my first buttonhole, my first garment (I decided to make a slip with a zipper, without using a pattern -- the slip is wearable, but not perfect), a pair of cuffs, and an inspired-by-Colonial-design pocket (a pocket with ribbons that tie around one's waist -- it works with pocket-less skirts).

And, I sewed back together a wicker wastebasket. (I had to do it, so I could blog about it!) I was commenting to a family member that my wastebasket was about ready to head to the garbage because the bottom was falling out. The family member suggested that I sew it back together with dental floss (dental floss is the substitute for white thread around our house). I had a better idea! Years ago, I bought 200 yards of cream-colored suture thread from American Science and Surplus. Well, I didn't realize how thick suture thread is -- evidently people have thick skins! It is too thick to use for most projects, but it worked well for sewing back together a trash can.

I am thinking about taking some old shirts and sweaters and getting crafty with them, but we will see how my time goes.