My First Word-of-the-Year: Temperature

Right at the beginning of the month, I discovered the world of temperature quilts, and really wanted to do one of those this year. So I got started, using the classic big dot of the day's high temp on a square of the low temp.

And then, yesterday this happened:

And this:

And this:

Of course Lady Gaga wore something over the top -
I *loved* the way she channeled a Betsy Ross imagery and wore the dove calling for peace.

And this:

And this remarkable Inaugural Speech:

The U.S. sorely needs a calming, yet aware, grandpa figure right now who can help us resolve a lot of our bickerings and justified angers. Hopefully he can combine that focus with effective leadership and fulfill a lot of what he's promising us. He appears to genuinely have devoted all of his soul for the good of our nation and we the people, and I will hear him out despite my deep mistrust of established politicians.

Regardless of my political thoughts, I was soothed and inspired by President Biden's speech. I am hopeful of the great diversity he has created in his cabinet choices. I am even more hopeful that most of our general public will answer his call to end this uncivil war we've been roiling in the past few years. 

These words struck me with great force, because while a great many of his comments resonated and inspired, this is something I can directly control on an every day basis:

"We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. . . . Let's begin to listen to one another again, hear one another, see one another. Show respect to one another. "

I have been so frustrated and disgusted with president 45's divisiveness that I have indulged every so often in sharing satire memes with a few friends who also appreciated that route of blowing off steam. But now that we've started a new chapter in our country's political history, it's time to step away from the rancor. Let it go. I'm sure that family is not going to just disappear, and I'll be tempted to indulge in the satire again, but I want to be part of the solution instead of continuing the negative vibes. 

And so, "Temperature" is my word of the year for 2021, and working on my temperature quilt on a regular basis throughout the year will help me remember to be my better self when others try to roil me up one way or the other. 

Temperature dots I worked on during the Inauguration

And Oh. My. Gosh. !!!!   I would have loved dearly to see those Inaugural fireworks in person!!! They were STUPENDOUS

BOMs Away - Americana QAL, Family, & Cadets

Welcome to the Link-Up for BOMs Away Mondays!

We'd love to see the BOM you're working on lately.

This week's link-up is at the bottom of the post.

The back of my mind has been on France all weekend. My heart grieves with them and applauds their bravery and actions. I feel impatience with those here who belittle the outpouring of solidarity with Parisians because other attacks don't receive as much media attention. I think a lot of factors made the difference between what is publicly shown for France here in the U.S. as compared to such attacks as that on Beirut. It's not at all that people don't care about Beirut. It's more that the majority of us here have a connection to Paris that isn't there with Beirut. Paris is visited by many of us, our Statue of Liberty comes from France, and despite our countries' quibblings over the years, the fact remains that France was our first ally. Paris, like London, is dear to the heart of many Americans, and so we identify strongly with them when they experience tragedies. My heart grieves also for Beirut and other places that are in turmoil - every person deserves to live in peace, and it is seriously messed up that there is so much oppression and terrorism right now. This sweet frog photo is my Facebook profile that I use sometimes when I want to say to everyone: "Take care of each other when the storms are falling." Yes, I dressed it up to express support for Paris - and no, I won't feel ashamed of doing so.  And I say to you fine folks out there: Let's each find something kind to do for those around us every day this weekend. Something a little out of our ordinary mode. It doesn't have to be big at all - just spread some positivity and give someone a smile to help counter-balance the hardship that's around us.

On my home front, things have been good this weekend, if somewhat subdued.

I got about half of the work done on this month's row of the DOD Americana BOM. 

I really love my 12" rotating mat for a bit of paper-piecing
prep and trimming in front of a movie.

Monday edit:  I finished the blocks this morning. :)

It's been a really fun weekend of family "stuff"!  Friday evening Marissa and I drove into Denver to meet up with my sister for a leisurely dinner together, since she was there from out of state for a professional convention.  

(Go, Nicole! - she had to do a presentation on her own after expecting it to be a collaboration, and did more than just fine!)  Heather and Patrick were able to join us, too!  (WOW-WOW, does this mom **love** having her grad school being an hour away instead of 1200 miles!)

Nicole and I
#sisters

Yesterday we had our first "family date" with a second Air Force cadet that was added to our sponsor list. He's a fantastic young man, and I'm looking forward to learning about football from him as he's one of the freshmen players for the Academy. Dinner and a Bond movie was the perfect night for us all.

And today was a terrific quiet family day at the house, enjoying each other, a little bit of lazy movie-watching, and some cooking. As well as that bit of BOM work on the side. I love my peeps!!

~*~*~*~

How did things go at your end? - Did you do any work on BOMs this last week or so? 

An InLinkz Link-up