Tag Archives: Cashmere Library

Oct9

Countdown

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Countdown

Only twelve days left. Why do the days go by so quickly? The past five months in Washington have been a blur of friends, volunteer work, writers group, book club and writing. I didn’t even get to Canada.

On Monday I went to Leavenworth for one last appointment at Shears. Ann and I went out for brunch and a lovely drive through Tumwater Canyon and Plain where the leaves are already in their autumn glory. Everywhere else, the leaves are just beginning to turn. Fall is late this year.

On Tuesday Linda and I went out for lunch and then to Office Depot. I was delighted to find a mouse pad, not an easy feat around here. Probably should have been more organized and ordered one on Amazon before.

On Wednesday Joanne and I volunteered at the Essentials Table at the Community Church in Cashmere. Then we stopped at the Sure To Rise Bakery. Last visit for me for a while to the Cashmere Library. Downloaded and printed out my piece for writers group next week. Farewell hugs to librarians Lisa and Ashley. And yes we did stop to visit my tree and I took pics. Then it was off to East Wenatchee for a delicious dinner at Olive Garden.

Today is Thursday. I spent the morning going through my closet. Clothes are easy. It’s those darn documents that are so tedious. And I’m leaving tons of those behind in a suitcase. Way too heavy to lug down to Mexico. Warmer clothes too. No use for a Columbia ski jacket or a pair of Sorrels down there.

I’m almost finished reading the book for book club. I will write out my comments and email them to the group as I’ll be back in Mexico when it’s time for the next meeting. Then I’ll be back to reading the books on Libby or Hoopla until I return to Washington next year.

Time for a snack. Yummy watermelon. Then I’ll be off to small group for dinner and Bible study.

Have a great evening!

Aug7

Thursday Musings

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Thursday Musings

The other day I was talking to a friend about how our lives have changed since Covid. While I don’t hide inside, I don’t over program myself the way I once did. One activity goes on my calendar a day. Then whatever happens…well, it happens.

Today is August 7th and the activity on the calendar was book club. We met at a park near the Pybus Market in Wenatchee and had a lovely picnic. We had a beautiful view of the river and the boat launch which added to our enjoyment.

But the day was far from over. After a delicious lunch and lively discussion of books, Joanne and I were off to Cashmere. We volunteer at the library for kids’ events. Today was the party for the end of summer reading program. I helped the kids make party poppers. They then went to another area where they got to play games with their party poppers. There were also other tables with more crafts for the kids to make.

After the party, we wandered over to the Methodist church for a community dinner. I met new people and even invited one of them to attend the next meeting of our writers group in Wenatchee.

Last stop was Bath and Body Works at the mall in East Wenatchee. I love my Champagne Toast! It has replaced my all-time favorite of Warm Vanilla Sugar.

It’s after seven and I’m finally home. And it’s reflection time.

On August 7th, 1992 I lovingly held Kelsey in my arms when he took his last breath. He’d led a happy and healthy life until then. Although it’s been years, I still think of him often. And I imagine him surrounded by other furry playmates up in doggie heaven.

Jul31

Tsunami. Flash Flood. Cinnamon Buns. Gnomes. Costco. Yale.

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Tsunami. Flash Flood. Cinnamon Buns. Gnomes. Costco. Yale.

The week began with tsunami warnings for the coastal areas in Washington State. Flash flood warnings for the northern Cascades. Heavy rainfall in the northern part of the state. Hence the flash flood warnings. Hopefully no thunder boomers. Lightning tends to hit trees and start wildfires.

Tuesday morning. Stopped in at the Sure to Rise Bakery in Cashmere for a cinnamon bun. Strode down to the Spirit of America 9/11 Memorial for some quiet contemplation.

Gnomes. Cashmere is known for its gnomes. Pick up a brochure at the visitor center and go on a hunt for these creatures. I actually did that once. Now I just glance at them along with their cute little homes.

Did I say gnomes homes? On Tuesday afternoon I volunteered at a program at the library where I fired a glue gun for a couple of hours. Kids eagerly built homes for gnomes. This is an annual activity at the library that is always so well attended. There was an abundance of craft materials ranging from birchbark to feathers and everything in between. And these kids are all so creative!

I did it again. I signed up yesterday for another online course from Yale University. Psychology this time. The videos this week are all about the brain. Interesting and at the same time a little scary.

Extremely hot and muggy here in East Wenatchee. Rain early this morning. So far just isolated drizzle this afternoon. And the 90 plus degree heat wave is forecast to continue for another few days.

On a cloudy and gloomy afternoon it’s a good day to go out for lunch and then cruise through Costco. So we did. Fall clothes and Halloween decorations have no appeal to me, not where I go in October. But I do enjoy browsing. It brings back fond memories of when my kids and I used to decorate our house for Halloween.

Bye Bye July!

Aug16

Libraries Are More Than Books

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Libraries Are More Than Books

I’ve been at the library in Cashmere twice this week; Wednesday was for an adult program and Thursday was for a children’s program.

I’ve never considered myself to be artistic. At school I always opted for music rather than art classes. As an adult I’ve never gone to a sip and paint. But back in 2016 when I first came to Leavenworth, I’ve progressed from adult coloring books to more challenging types of art. I’ve painted with watercolors and acrylics. I’ve played with pastels. And on Wednesday I painted a waterfall scene. And it actually turned out well and it is going to be prominently displayed on a shelf in my room.

On Thursday there was an end of summer party for all the kids signed up in the summer reading program. There were a variety of crafts available ranging from decorating book bags to making chimes with beads. At my table, I helped kids make shiny pinwheels and color designs to personalize a puzzle. I really enjoyed volunteering at this event.

When I was a child, a library was merely a place to take out books. When I had children, there were a handful of programs available. Sadly, the library in Winnipeg where I went to as a child, (also the one my children went to) is now closed, a victim of downloading books on the internet.

But the library in Cashmere is alive and thriving. Plans are underway for an expansion and a move to a new facility. How exciting!

How do you read books? Do you read them online? Do you listen to them while driving? E Books and audio books have become quite popular. Personally, I love the feel of actually holding a book in my hands.

On that note, I’m off to read a book in preparation for our monthly book club meeting.

Jul11

I Did What?

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I Did What?

I’ll try anything once. I may decide to never do it again but there’s no harm in trying something new. So I did just that.

The North Central Washington library offers some really interesting programs. I’ve done several on Zoom. The speakers and topics have all been great but the events I enjoy the most are the craft programs offered in person. I try to take advantage of as many as I can while up here in the spring and summer.

I was volunteering at the book sale in Cashmere on Founders Day when an event on the calendar caught my eye. Woodburning Coaster. Sounds intriguing. I know what a coaster is. But I claim ignorance of woodburning. I registered for the event.

Upon arrival I had to sign a waiver. Etching in wood with a hot pyrography pen can be dangerous. If I burned myself there would be no lawsuit. I’m Canadian. We don’t embrace lawsuits in the same way as Americans. So I eagerly completed and signed the waiver although I noticed other participants hesitantly complying.

I tentatively put on the silicone finger protectors provided and gingerly picked up the pen from its stand. Hmmmmm. I’d best stick to straight lines and curly lines. My attempt at a circle was unsuccessful. Practice time was now over and I flipped to the other side of the coaster where I would create my masterpiece.

I quickly concluded that freestyle was the way to go rather than drawing a design with a pencil. I experimented with different pressures and different strokes. The time went by quickly and I was pleased with the result. Not bad for a rookie!

And I might even try it again.

Jul5

From One Extreme To Another

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From One Extreme To Another

I was in Winnipeg for two months. It rained at some point every single day and the temperatures were cool with the odd 70 degree sneaking in. Here in Washington it’s sunny and temperatures are in the 90s predicted to reach 100 in the next few days. I prefer to be here.

Last weekend I volunteered at a book sale in Cashmere on Founders Day for Friends of the Cashmere Library. We raised just under $1000, up from last year’s $600. The money goes towards funding the amazing programs this library offers. I’m actually registered for a woodburning coaster event this coming week. Other programs I’ve attended in the past have included such activities as pastels and painting with acrylics.

It was great to be back at my writers group the other day at the Wenatchee Senior Center. What a variety of writing was presented at this meeting! Members come from all walks of life as well as very different places. Poetry, memoirs, fiction, non-fiction……………it’s all here and the two hours flies by quickly.

Another highlight of the week for me was going back to Shears in Leavenworth to have my hair done. I know. There are salons in East Wenatchee. But Lisa knows my hair and I don’t mind going a few towns away every few weeks to pamper myself. Another bonus is that Linda and I pick up lunch at Dan’s and then go back to her place to visit and binge-watch Netflix.

And yes, I’ve been back to Costco a couple of times and we won’t even discuss clothes or the bag of Hershey kisses I bought. But I did pass on the dark chocolate sea salt caramels LOL.

Cashmere Valley Bank I am annoyed with you. I got a new debit card from my Canadian bank and you wouldn’t accept it at your ATM. But Numerica did. I guess I have a new favorite bank now.

Please pray for my friends in Mexico as Hurricane Beryl bears down on them today.

Jul30

Barbie

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Barbie

Yes we went to see it. Joyce and I went to see Barbie. Had to find out what all the hype and controversy was about. I thought it was entertaining and that the overall message was a good one. However I can easily see why some people may have been offended. Loved the ending too.

Last Tai Chi class was on Thursday. Will really miss everyone. Jim is our instructor and is 89 years old and has the patience of a saint. And I’ve made some new friends in that class.

My knees set off the metal detectors at the County Courthouse in Wenatchee. I was hoping to get a passport photo taken but Canada changed the specs in May and they don’t coincide with the specs for the US passport photo.

Painted a gnome at the Cashmere Library on Tuesday. It was actually a female gnome. Didn’t even know they existed. And of course I visited my tree in Cashmere.

Was at Shears in Leavenworth getting my hair styled on Wednesday. Booked my next appointment for October before I head back to Mexico for the winter.

After having to change my password twice, I was finally able to complete the form online so that when I arrive in Vancouver on Monday I’ll have an easier time going through Customs. We’ll see.

Laundry is done and now I just have to pack. Will leave that for tomorrow afternoon. Church tomorrow morning and then out for lunch with Clairesse.

7 am shuttle to Sea-Tac from Wenatchee Monday morning. Then off to Winnipeg via Vancouver.

Watch for my next post from Winnipeg.

Sep23

In Addition To The Usual

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In Addition To The Usual

I lead a busy life here in Leavenworth. There are the regular activities at the senior center, the church and teaching fitness classes. Friendships have increased and grown deeper. And somehow I have found time to do some different things this month.

I attended a program at the Leavenworth Library where I painted a coffee cup and coaster.

We headed out to Snowy Owl Theater to Elder Speak, a program held annually by The Ripple Foundation.

By far the most memorable day in September was the 11th. The memorial service held at Spirit of America in Cashmere was even more special as the replicas of the twin towers and two new plaques were unveiled.

I attended a program at the Cashmere Library where I painted with water colors. Here is the pumpkin that was my model.

And here is my masterpiece which is being transferred to a T-shirt. On the First Friday Art Walk in Wenatchee we will all don our shirts and travel to various venues to display our creations.

We saw an excellent movie at Gateway entitled Overcomer. We all agreed that this is one of the best movies ever. I encourage you to see it and bring along lots of tissues.

I also attended a most informative meeting of the Wenatchee Valley Autoimmune Network. It’s nice having this support group close by.

Up and coming in the next week includes the Judy Garland movie, Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth, and a cruise on Lady of the Lake from Chelan to Stehekin.

As September draws to a close, it’s time to start checking out flights back to Mexico next month. But I also intend to enjoy the beautiful fall colors here in Washington.