Halloween progress

Well, here it is, the end of July and I seem to be no closer to the end of my current cross stitch project (Haunted House Welcome) than I was when I first blogged about this on July 5 (not that you’d know how far along I was then since I didn’t post a picture).

Anyway, here we are at the end of July and I had to move the piece out of the frame I use for stitching so I can do the bottom part of the piece. (See the thread toward the bottom of the picture?) Hopefully, I’ll complete the bottom section by Sunday evening, then move to the top part, where I have to complete the roof on the house, the moon and a few other things.

My goal, such as it is, is to have the design stitched by the beginning of September so I can start the backstitching (for you non-cross stitchers, think of it as outlining, which adds detail and brings a design to life). And, hopefully, I’ll still be on track to have it completed for my wife by Thanksgiving.

That’s a big hope, I think. But that’s what life at turtle speed is all about, doing what I enjoy every day!

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Update to Weather Alerts post

Shortly after I published my blog post yesterday about the discontinuation of weather alerts from the National Weather Service for budget reasons, I was watching a show on The Weather Channel. During that show, I learned that the budget sequestration is also affecting the Hurricane Hunters that fly into these storms and provide crucial data to the National Hurricane Center.

According to Col. Craig LaFave, commander of the 403rd Reserve Wing which includes the hurricane hunters squadron, the unit can handle up to two hurricanes for a short period of time. Three storms is a no go.

I still remember vividly when four storms in succession hit Florida in 2004. If the 2013 is as bad as forecasters are predicting, then grounding the hurricane hunters because the politicians in Washington can't compromise on a budget flies in the face of common sense. I guess putting people and their property in danger makes more sense to them than abandoning their principles.

Strange world we're living in these days.

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Weather alerts fall victim to budget cuts

Anyone living in parts of the country subject to hazardous weather will have to rely on other means to stay abreast of developing weather conditions beginning Aug. 1.

Since 2008, the National Weather Service (NWS) has disseminated weather alerts through e-mail or text messages using a free self-subscription service called GovDelivery, which has contracts with several government agencies to provide information to the public. Due to budget constraints, the NWS terminated its contract with GovDelivery last November, but the service continued to provide the alerts through other means.

Now falling subject to budget constraints itself (you can substitute sequestration here if you want), GovDelivery will cease providing the NWS alerts effective July 31.

For Florida residents, this couldn’t come at a worse time as we move into the height of hurricane season from mid-August to mid-September. While weather apps for smart phones or tablets, will alert people to hazardous weather, these will not provide the same early information that the e-mail alerts from the NWS did.

It seems a shame when we’ve been urged to make use of technology to conserve resources that the people in charge let things like this happen. My opinion only, of course.

Have a great weekend everyone and try to enjoy life at turtle speed.

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The Lone Ranger Rides again

No, it’s not the Lone Ranger we Baby Boomers grew up with, but nonetheless, the movie is a rollicking good adventure if you’re looking for a summer escape plaguing so much of the country this summer.

I agree when I saw the trailers with Johnny Depp as Tonto (and not dressed as Jay Silverheels played him), I was skeptical. But some minimal research, (okay, I asked one of my friends who’s knowledgeable in Indian culture) revealed that Depp’s makeup was fairly realistic. Armie Hammer turns in a good performance as the Lone Ranger, although, he exudes was less confidence as the Lone Ranger than what Baby Boomers will remember.

In a departure from the TV show, John Reid, the ranger, is actually a lawyer, who becomes the masked lawman at the urging of Tonto to avenge the death of his Texas Ranger brother at the hands of the notorious Butch Cavendish. Together, the pair discover a plot that would have great implications if successful and work to foil the evildoers behind it.

This is all related by a now elderly Tonto to a young boy in a museum dedicated to Western history, so there are flashbacks throughout the show to this Tonto. I know this was the film’s way of trying to engage a younger audience that has no relation to the Lone Ranger, but I found it off-putting. That’s just me. Others may like this facet of the show.

The Lone Ranger gets a thumbs up.

So while I’m doing movie reviews, thumbs down to World War Z. Just moments into the show, the tension ratchets up to an adrenaline-pulsing level and never lets up from there. Please, give the audience a chance to breathe once in a while. Oh, yeah, zombies that move at super speed without explanation as to how they acquired this power. Really? That’s just one example of the inconsistencies with the reality we expect from a zombie picture that turn this one into something you’d expect to see on the SyFy channel. If you’re into Brad Pitt and want to see it, wait till it comes out on DVD and rent it through Netflix.

And that’s Life at Turtle Speed.

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Recapture the Christmas spirit in July

Many of my friends know I’m a not-so-secret Christmas nut (my Facebook page features a steady stream of Christmas photos, for example). So as this weekend in July rolls around, my excitement level begins to build, because the first vestiges of Christmas begin to appear — the Hallmark Christmas ornaments.

That’s right. This weekend, Hallmark stores will premiere much of the 2014 Christmas ornaments; the remainder will arrive in October. For collectors of this iconic, almost-Norman Rockwell like reminders of Christmases past, it the first chance to snap up their favorites.

It was my wife who introduced me to the Hallmark ornaments during our first Christmas together in 1997. Before that, I don’t think I’d ever paid them much attention. It didn’t take long before I got hooked. The artistry that goes into these ornaments is amazing, but more than that it’s the memories they bring back, mostly of happy times spent together with families and friends.

(And if you didn’t know, the Hallmark Channel has been doing Christmas in July all week long, replaying many favorite Christmas movies from the past few years.)

So even if you don’t collect Hallmark ornaments, it’s worth visiting your local Hallmark store just to see the colorful and sometimes whimsical collection, and maybe for a moment, recapture that special spirit that prevails during the Christmas holiday even if it is in the heat of the summer.

And that’s life at turtle speed.

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Playing for the love of sport, not money

These athletes won’t receive a lot of attention, other than maybe a mention or two in local media markets. That’s okay. While they might wish their sports captured more attention like professional sporting events or even the Olympics, they’re just satisfied that they can still compete.

This week, in Tampa, Fla. and Rochester, Minn., two groups of athletes will compete for all the glory, honor and satisfaction of knowing they remain at the top of their game, the best of the best. They’ll do so competing with one difference from most athletes — they’re disabled.

From July 13-18, Tampa plays host to the 33rd edition of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, an event for military-service veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems to compete in various sporting events. Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, the games allow disabled veterans to improve both their quality of life and their health.

Likewise in Rochester, where the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) are taking place from July 6-13. (And here, I must make a disclaimer: my 17-year-old stepson is one of the athletes participating for I think his ninth year.So far, he’s achieved first place in two swimming events and a third in archery.) Open to physically disabled athletes from ages seven to 21, the NJDC games are an Olympic-style competition and have produced several paralympic athletes through an affiliation with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Watching these athletes train or compete serves as inspiration to us all that we can’t let the curves that life throws us stand in the way of achieving our goals.

And that’s life at turtle speed.

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The Grinch that stole the Fourth of July

All right, the title is a little misleading, but CBS sure appeared to be a Grinch when it came to the Boston Fireworks Spectacular with the Boston Pops Orchestra this past Fourth of July.

We had settled in to watch our traditional viewing that evening — first, a Capitol Fourth followed by the Boston fireworks — when I asked my wife what time each was airing. She found the Capitol Fourth and the event sponsored by Macy’s, but no Boston fireworks. I jumped on Google and soon found the reason — CBS had declined to renew a contract to air the event.

To be fair, I emailed corporate communications for CBS to get their side of the story. I received no return reply. The only reason I could find, according to one Boston report, was some vague indication that declining ratings was behind the decision.

Hmmm, given the tragedy that happened in Boston a few months earlier, was this really the best time to pull the plug on something that gives Boston a sense of pride. I guess corporate profits mean more to CBS than fostering good feelings for a city that had experienced a horrific terrorist act.

And while I’m on my soapbox today, what about the families of military personnel on bases around the country denied fireworks because Congress and the White House couldn’t come to a budget deal and avoid the sequestration. Money again. Maybe it is the root of all evils.

Thoughts, anyone?

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Halloween on the Fourth of July

Halloween on the Fourth of July

At least I’m getting closer to the right holiday, although I’ll never reach it completely.

Cross-stitchers who work on seasonal projects are usually way ahead of the general population, like freelance writers, who generally are writing articles for print magazines three or four months ahead of the calendar.

So, this year, instead of working on a Christmas project on the Fourth of July, I worked on a Halloween project. See what I mean? I moved two months closer to the actual holiday we were celebrating yesterday.

Working ahead like we do on seasonal projects is a must. For example, the project I’m working on, “Haunted House Welcome” from Stoney Creek is a large piece, and I know if I want it done for my wife who loves Halloween, I had to start way ahead of time. Thus, while many of you were thinking barbecue and fireworks, I’m looking at ghosts and witches and a haunted house.

At least I wasn’t playing Christmas music. Yes, I’ve been known to do that too.

So what about the rest of you stitchers? Any particular holiday stories you want to share? Leave a comment so we can all enjoy our particular stories.

And remember — have a safe and joyful weekend wherever you are (and watch out for turtles in the road). That’s what life at turtle speed is all about, doing whatever makes us happy.

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Have a safe Fourth of July

Have a safe Fourth of July

Consider today’s blog as a form of public service announcement. I’ve gathered below a number of links to sites with tips on how to have a safe Fourth of July, especially when dealing with fireworks. Here they are in no particular order:

http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/eye-health-news/july-fireworks-display-safety.cfm

http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/fireworks.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/fireworks.html

http://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks/

http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/121339/012.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/family/minutes/tips/fireworks/

http://fireworkssafety.org/?p=41

http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/Using%20Fireworks%20Safely.pdf

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/pdf/public%20education/fireworkssafetytips.pdf

That should be enough to get you started. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July. Now, I’ve got to go back outside and make sure the turtle (what a coincidence)I rescued from the middle of the street moments ago is headed in the right direction to safety.

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