Best Friday

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The Shores of Normandy

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75

“Last summer,” journalist Ernie Pyle said in 1945, “I wrote that I hoped the end of the war could be a gigantic relief, but not an elation. In the joyousness of high spirits it is so easy for us to forget the dead.” That was a relief that he knew was simply unavailable to many and a forgetting that shouldn’t be allowed to any. - 5 June 2019, David Chrisinger, New York Times

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Wordless Wednesday

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Snowflake Monday

The Firefighter Quilt by Vicki Siegel, Quilts at the Capitol, 2009
What a day to start crocheting snowflakes again, right?

Today, 343 firefighters from approximately seven states will be climbing the 55 flights of stairs in the building where I work twice to commemorate and honor the firefighters who selflessly gave their lives on September 11, 2001 in New York City.

This memorial stairclimb has been happening at the building where I work every year since 2006. The firefighters climb the entire flight twice because the World Trade Center had 110 flights. Each of the firefighters carries the name or badge of one of the firefighters who died. Since 2010, the climbers have raised money each year to assist the families of all those who died on September 11, 2001.


2015 Memorial Stairclimb
I didn't get to watch them last year because I was in Washington State participating in the Deception Pass Classic fighting multiple sclerosis.

I'll be taking pictures of today's event, and I hope to be able to download, edit and upload them tonight so I can share them with you tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'm praying for the firefighters who are battling blazes across the west, and I'm praying for humanitarian workers helping with the post-Harvey effort and all the people who are being affected by Irma and Jose. I hope all the firefighters and volunteers will be able to soon return home safe to their families, and I hope all those who have been evacuated will be able to return safely to homes in which they will still be able to live.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes and flags you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 4.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in three colors (I used white and my own hand-dyed hibiscus and deep water), size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Patriot Snowflake Instructions

With white, ch 16.

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 7 ch, draw up loop in next ch, join blue thread, complete sc on hook with blue, twist blue and white thread and with blue, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, leaving white thread behind work. Do not crochet over white thread end. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, draw up loop in next sc, twist blue and white thread and finish sc on hook with white thread, leaving blue thread behind work. Do not crochet over blue thread. With white thread, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc. Draw up loop in next sc, join red thread, complete sc on hook with red, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: With red thread (not crocheting over white thread), 1 sc in each of next 7 sc. Draw up loop in next sc, twist red and blue thread, complete sc on hook with blue, with blue thread, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, leaving red thread behind work. Do not crochet over red thread end. Ch 1, turn.

Row 4: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, draw up loop in next sc, twist blue and red thread and finish sc on hook with red thread, leaving blue thread behind work. You may clip the blue thread at this point, if desired, leaving a tail long enough to weave in later. Do not crochet over blue thread. With red thread, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc. Draw up loop in next sc, twist white and red thread, complete sc on hook with white, ch 1, turn.

Row 5: With white thread, 1 sc in each of the 15 sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 6: 1 sc in each of next 14 sc across. Draw up loop in next sc and twist white and red thread. Finish sc on hook with red, ch 1, turn.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Rows 7-8: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 using red instead of white, twisting and completing the final sc on Round 8 with white instead of red. You may clip the red thread at this point, if desired, leaving a tail which you may crochet over during the next Row, if desired, or weave in later. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 9-10: With white, repeat Row 5 twice. At end of Row 10, do not ch 1 and do not turn. Side facing you is right side of work from this point on.

Round 11: 1 sc in same sc as final sc of Round 10, ch 10, skip over side of flag, 1 sc in next corner, [ch 10, sk next 6 sc ,1 sc in next sc] 2 times, ch 10, 1 sk over side of flag, 1 sc in next corner, ch 10, sk next 6 sc, 1 sc in next sc], ch 5, 1 tr in starting sc to complete Round and form 6th ch 10 sp.

Round 12: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in top of tr directly below, [ch 3, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3, sk next 4 ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch] 5 times; ch 3, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3, sk next 4 ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 13: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp] 5 times; 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 14: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 7, [1 sc in same sp, ch 5] 2 times, 1 sc in same sp, [ch 3, sk next 3 st, 1 sc in next st] 4 times, [ch 3, sk next 2 st, 1 sc in next st] 2 times, ch 3, sk next 3 st, 1 sc in next ch 3 tip, [ch 5, 1 sc in same sp] 2 times; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in all ends.


Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

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Ziaflake Monday

The Lizard and I have wanted to do the Santa Fe Century for what feels like forever. I'm from New Mexico, and The Lizard is a true desert rat. Or desert lizard... We finally decided this year to quit waiting for the perfect opportunity and registered, caution to the wind.

During the drive to Santa Fe, we stopped in Raton to replenish the fuel tank and learned the 2015 Run for the Wall would be arriving in about 15 minutes. Santa Fe could wait! We weren't about to miss this!


Run for the Wall, in its 27th year and nearly 400 motorcycles strong, starts in Ontario, California, and travels across the country to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day to visit The Wall. Participants include veterans and retired military who share Run for the Wall's mission: raise awareness of prisoners of war and military members missing in action, promote healing for veterans, support military personnel and honor the memory of those killed in action.




















This year's Run was to feature one of New Mexico's own, Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry, the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor for services during the war in Afghanistan. Even though already wounded by gunfire, Petry lost his hand trying to throw a Taliban grenade that landed in his unit away from his fellow soldiers. He placed a tourniquet on his own arm after the grenade exploded. After surgery, recovery, a prosthetic and physical therapy, instead of a medical discharge, he returned to duty and continued to serve until his retirement last year. His prosthetic lists the names of the fallen Rangers from his regiment.

Petry's motorcycle broke down before Run for the Wall reached Raton, and he was unable to continue in this year's Run.

The Colfax County Young Marines presented a flag-raising ceremony for the motorcyclists, and city residents lined the streets to honor those who seek to honor POWs and MIAs.












I was able to see The Wall in 2004. I was able to touch The Wall. To feel The Wall.

I've never served in the military, but both my grandfathers served in World War II, one in the Pacific theater and one in the Atlantic theater. My brother retired from the Air Force after the Persian Gulf War. My husband's father, step-father and uncles all served in various branches of the military. I grew up in a small town neighboring an Air Force base and spent many hours watching the F-15s doing touch and goes, listening to them break the sound barrier and later covering Air Force news for the local newspaper. My dad serviced the radios for the base and the local law enforcement agencies throughout my childhood.

I have a deep respect for all who serve our country, and I honor them this day.


You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Ziaflake Instructions

Make large magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (sc picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made, point made), 5 dc in ring; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Don't pull magic ring too tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Ch 14 (counts as 1 dtr and ch 9), * 1 tr over point into middle dc of next 5/dc group; ch 9; repeat from * around 4 times, sl st in 5th ch of starting ch 9.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * 4 dc in next ch 9 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, 2 dc in ring, [ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 7 ch, 2 dc in ring] 2 times, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch (zia spokes made), 4 dc in ring, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.


Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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