A Scammer and Blog/Instagram Etiquette

Hi Everyone.  Sorry it's been so long since I wrote a blog post but I'm still here.  The reason why I was away for so long was because I discovered Instagram!  Yes, and maybe it's not a good thing...

For the past few years I really enjoyed writing my blog and meeting such interesting bloggers.  Another blogger I follow recently joined Instagram so I did, too.  It's fun but it's taken me awhile to "weed out" those I don't want to hear from or follow.  I've met some nice ladies who share the same interests as me and some of them are old blog friends!

But, that said, I find that people are not always so polite.  Awhile back it got very political in regard to the craft community and it ruffled my feathers a bit. My dear daughter gave me some great advice which was do not get involved.  But, is there an etiquette you follow with your Instagram friends?  I mean, almost every person's account on which I comment on, they in return comment on my account in a nice, positive, polite manner.  Although, there are a couple who would never reply in return regardless of how many times I  comment on their account.  Does this make sense?  I'll add a further caveat in that I feel many people out there in social media land are prejudice and ignorant.  In this case, people of the same race but who live on different continents.   What?  Yes, I guess I've had my head in the sand.  Remember, I do not belong to Facebook and my only experience has been this blog.  As I've said, I've met some lovely, kind people who are gifted in many ways and they share those gifts via Instagram.  I now feel I can somewhat "navigate" through Instagram although I'm always on guard.

Speaking of guard, I think my blog needs a guard!  I was looking back at some old posts and there was one in which a blogger stole my photo, posted it on her site and has not removed it nor has she given me any credit.  It's a joke as she is a scammer in my book.  Please be aware of Craft Passions.  She has put up a false disclaimer saying people have given their permission to share their patterns/photos.  I've never heard from this person before and she, to date, has not responded to my email!  Such is life.

Life is very good here in SoCal although we are experiencing the "May Gray" which proceeds the "June Gloom".  Lilly is alive and doing well and sends her meows to everyone.  I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing weekend.  I'd love to hear your thoughts about my ramblings.

With my best wishes,

Pat

Happy Easter

Happy Easter 

Wishing you all the blessings of this Easter,

Pat

I Feel Sad Tonight to Be An American Woman

Good Evening.  I'm writing this post since I'm at the age where I feel I have to be true myself.  I've always embraced being outside the box and being my own person.  So, that's why I'm speaking up tonight.  You may not agree with what I say and you may not read my blog again.  But, that's OK as I have to be honest to myself.  

I "listened" to the State of the Union Address tonight.  I knew the women of the Democratic party were going to wear white.  I know my history of woman's rights.  But tonight was too much. When President Trump spoke about his dislike of the late term, third trimester abortion laws that New York recently adopted, many in attendance stood up and applauded.  Not one of those women in white stood up.  Why?  What is wrong with you women?  You surely don't represent what I feel.  

Do you think it is now the new "normal" to abort a child in the third trimester?  Why in the world, if you are so smart and savvy do you even find yourself needing an abortion?  What about birth control?  And, don't tell me you can't afford it.  Have you seen anyone out there today without a cell phone?  If you can afford a cell phone, you can afford birth control!

It boggles my mind that this is the face of today's American woman lead by non other than the latest star, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  Or, how about the newly elected Palestinian congresswoman who used the "F" word talking to her constituents? (And, for your info, my very best friends are Palestinians whom I love dearly) Where are you manners women? What are these women trying to prove by having such uncouth behavior?  It makes me ashamed to be an American woman in today's society.  That why I'm speaking up.  I'm not a follower on this band wagon to degrade our society even more.  

This isn't meant to be democrat vs republican as our political system is a huge mess with both parties.  It's meant to be a wake up call of what has happened to people's moral compass?  

I'm an Orthodox Christian and a few years ago I read an excellent article by a well known Orthodox writer, Frederica Mathewes-Green. It was about another "star", Gloria Steinem.  I'm sorry but I have no regard for Gloria. She doesn't embody any of the values I have been raised with.  And, to answer your questions, I'm not an uninformed housewife with her head in the sand.  I've worked in the business world and I still run my husband's business day to day.  I'm the go to person in regard to all aspects of the business dealings.  But, what I am proud to say is that I am  a woman, wife, and mother, with value.  A woman who I feel is cultured and most of all kind.  The dearest compliment I received a few years ago was from my children who said I was successful in raising them and having our family.  To me, that is something that I will always hold dear to my heart.  Rather than climbing the corporate ladder to attain what?  An empty ceiling?

I love being me and I will stand up for my values.  I hate profanity, rudeness, and women who have no kindness of heart.  Wake up everyone as we women are the heart of the home.  You take that away and just see what our society will look like.

Regards,

Pat 

Trying to Catch Up with my Blog

Hello my dear readers.  I'm sorry it's been so long since I have written anything on this blog of mine.  Time gets away too fast sometimes!

I returned home from Turkey before Thanksgiving.  It was so much fun getting to explore more of the vast city of Istanbul.

Of course, I took my knitting with me.  I finally completed this shawl, just before Christmas.  It took me over 3 months so I felt a bit lonesome when I had finished it :)

My watercolors made their appearance for a short time to complete a Christmas card for my dear friend in Scotland.

Lilly is alive and well.  She will be 14 years young next month.  I can't believe where the years have gone.

All the family was here for the Christmas holidays and it was a joyous time.  We had some healthy food too like the hummus pictured above that I made.  Super easy recipe.

I took the Christmas trees down the day after Christmas but it took me a couple of days to complete my cleaning.  I felt good after the house was put back in order.

We've had some lovely weather and I loved seeing the sunset the other night.

A couple of days ago, we went to the beach with our friends and I called it the calm before the storm as we are expecting a week of rain!  Yes, I'm excited as I love rain and we need it, too.

This is me trying to do a selfie!  Oops, not so good but I wanted to show you the beautiful hand knitted shawl/scarf my dear friend Christine knitted for me.  It's a most cherished gift.

That about does it for the update on what's been happening around here.  I will have the pleasure to babysit my little granddaughter this week so I'm looking forward to that.  And, there's a new knitting project on my knitting needles that I will share later.

Oh, almost forget - I joined Instagram.  I'm not on Facebook or Twitter or anything else but I did join Instagram.  My son told my daughter that "Mom has fallen through the rabbit hole".  It's fun.  I love it!  And, I've found many of my blog friends over there, too.

I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start.  Lilly sends me best wishes to each of you as do I.

Until next time,

Pat