Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Amazing Skin I never saw a reptile with such interesting scales and skin. The Bearded Dragon was quite comfortable with the group gathered around to see his unusual coat of intricate designs from pleats to scalloped patterns and a chin filled with rows of spikey looking points that probably

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Celebrations The arrival of a fabulous flower arrangement surprised us. The delight of a nice dinner we shared with treasured family blessed us. The fun of playing a new game made us laugh. A clever and wholesome red box movie left a good feeling. Altogether, we enjoyed a well

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Exercise Before the minor league baseball game, the team members were not only throwing balls to one another to warm up their throwing arms and their visual acumen, they also were twisting their bodies in exercises and stretching into some curious positions to limber up their muscles. High stepping

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement A Breathtaking Sight The band’s played stirring music. A pleasant breeze blew. The setting of a repurposed military fort spoke of important historical significance. However, for long minutes, a gorgeous sunset upstaged it all. Pleased “ahs” sounded from all corners of the lawn as the spectacular sunset dominated the

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Music under the Stars Outdoor concerts played by expert bands provide some of summer’s nicest pleasures. As we listened to the Air Force band playing a concert in honor of the 75 years of that military branch, a cargo ship veered a little closer to the shore to hear

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Reading Aloud The children had been running, jumping, and making lots of joyful, childish noise all day long. They needed to quiet down for bedtime. Reading a story aloud worked wonders. Most parents recognize the benefits of reading aloud. We know that our libraries and stores are full of

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Simple Fun Finding an activity which intrigues children of a wide range of ages is a challenge. An understanding mama found a delightful activity that pleased children from age four all the way to age eleven. All the children were entertained by simple, colorful paper streamers attached to plastic

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement A Red Moon I’ve heard the expression “once in a blue moon”, but I hadn’t heard about a red moon. To my delight this week, I watched one take place in front of my eyes. We had the privilege of seeing a total moon eclipse in our southeastern sky.

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Virginia Highland Dancers Attractive costumes, amazing strength and stamina produced a lovely dance performance accompanying stirring Highland music. The audience responded with broad smiles and spontaneous clapping. The delightful performance raised our spirits. Both discipline and persistence were required to step, jump, and pivot in perfect formation. The audience

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement Amazing bands Instrumental bands bring delight. Military musical bands inspire and leave us tapping our feet. We love to see the coordination and skill of a large group of musicians marching in step at the same time they play music in perfect unison. At the 2022 Tattoo* concert, bands