Canning time is right around the corner. The jar opener tool is so handy!

The Transcontinental Railroad was an engineering feat unprecedented at the time, and it had to be built by hand. May 10th is the 157th anniversary of its completion. In the 21st century, we are still reaping the benefits of the back-breaking and dangerous work our ancestors accomplished. In the aftermath of the Civil War, it helped bring our country back together again.

Working with our hands accomplishes many things, including important brain functions.

We're starting a new story today. Mary was one of the few women to participate in a cattle drive up the Chisholm Trail.

I love my treadle sewing machine, but no electricity means no built-in light. The Flexible Gooseneck Arm Work Lamp with Magnetic Mounting Base solves that problem! Also, I use a clip-on light for cross-stitch and other types of needlework. 

Flexible Gooseneck Arm Work Lamp with Magnetic Mounting Base

Rechargeable Clip-on Book Light

Stitchin Heaven Quilt Shop

I had the opportunity over the weekend to take a younger coworker friend to her very first quilt show. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. It's always fun for those of us who love quilting to share it with others!

I referenced my trip to the International Quilt Show back in October. The episode number is 292.

We finish up Ella's story today with the death of her first husband and her 2nd marriage.

In the first part, I talked about specific examples of hard situations we may have in our lifetimes. In this part, I'll discuss ways to deal with the stress.

We all go through hard times. They may be personal or collective, but they're still stressful. We need to be prepared to deal with the stress.

As we age, it's important to make things easier to do. I added the planter boxes to the railing on my side porch to grow herbs, although you can grow anything in them. Making things easier to do increases the likelihood of success.

Self-watering Deck Railing Planters