The weather outside is frightful, and I have yet to find much comfort inside. We try to be energy-conscious at our house by keeping the temperature 65 or lower, and with the utility bills being so astronomically high, the only warmth in my future will be coming from layers of flannel. The dryer vent in my laundry room makes it colder and draftier, and a thermometer placed there yesterday registered 54 degrees while I was washing clothes. That’s cold! Hurry, spring!
Reader Judith Violette informed me about a good way to pass a winter’s day. Judith is a member of the Town and Country FCE Club (Family and Community Education--formerly the Home Demonstration Club), and she and her buddies are starting a Project Linus group in our community.
Project Linus creates blankets for traumatized children and teens in Middle Tennessee, and they are welcoming all level of sewers as new members to their group. They also welcome donations of relevant materials (fabrics, packing tape, storage totes, etc.), so if you’re cleaning out your sewing supplies or if you want to get involved – here’s a place for you. To get in touch with Project Linus, e-mail me at jbragg@murfreesboropost.com and I’ll get you connected.
The thoughtful folks at The Knaughty Knitter on Walnut Street are holding a similar program for the needy.
On Feb. 14, they are having a Meharry Project Knit In from 1-3 p.m. This is a joint effort by Knit & Crochet Tennessee and local yarn stores to knit or crochet 2,500 baby blankets for babies born at Meharry Medical Center during the year. At the knit-in, you can get 10 percent off yarn for a baby blanket, or you can go to the store and knit a square that will be added to a blanket with others. The square must be 12x12 inches and made from a particular yarn that the Knaughty Knitter can sell to you. It’s yet another good way to be involved and forget about the weather.
Mid South Sewing Center, just off Cason Lane (formerly on the Square), routinely holds Sewing Saturdays, inviting volunteers to come complete unfinished items or start similar projects for the needy. If you’re a wannabe sewer and have been wondering if a machine is in your future, go visit Karen and Fred Rouse on one of these Saturdays and see if this is a hobby that interests you.
A final way to pass a cold wintery night would be to participate in the UNPLUG! and Read initiative sponsored by the Read To Succeed organization. The week of Feb. 15-21 has been set aside to encourage reading in our community and many events are planned. I am especially impressed by those that target teenagers (information at Linebaugh Library or go to www.readtosucceed.org/unplug), and I plan to pick take one night off that week from computers, televisions and other things electronic. I’ll probably fall asleep after reading two chapters, but I have some great books picked out to encourage me.
The library will also hold its book sale Feb. 21 on Level 2 of the parking garage from 9-12 a.m.
You can stay warm and keep involved, and you’ll saying “Adios” to ole’ man winter before you know it.
‘Til next week.
Note: Apologies for having recommended the Cover Girl eyeliner.
It performed beautifully for three weeks; then stopped making a line. Mea culpa and let me know if you find a good one! |
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