February 3, 2022
By the title, I imagine you can guess we had a lot of rain today. We had a long enough break between squalls, that Harry and I were able to get out and walk around the camping loops. The trees were fresh and standing proud and such a nice contrast against the gray sky. A picture I have seemed to gravitate to with my camera every day we are out…note the picture below.



twinkling stars and yet it was taken at 11:00 this morning.
I guess it has been so rainy, I have become introspective. Been thinking of what my life looks like set against different backgrounds! Anytime you look at a reflection it causes you to look at something in a different way! They say what we focus on outside is a reflection of what we feel and are inside. Food for thought.
Off to Shop for Project Materials
A fabric store is not Harry’s favorite shopping experience but because he loves me, he will go with me occasionally. The A & E Fabric store of Pensacola turned out to be a true surprise! Not quite as large as Mary Jo’s Cloth Store in Gastonia, NC, that I love, but it was quite large.

It is very seldom I see a man actually shopping for something in a fabric store but when I do, I always wonder what he is making. Today, one gentleman was in front of me in line. He was getting a heavy canvas…black and red. He was making baseball bat warmers for his team. In all the years, we did baseball with our sons, I had never heard of a bat warmer. Have you? Anyway, I learned they don’t use aluminum bats any longer, instead they use composite bats. This man said they range from $300.00 to over $800 each. That would have broken our household if we had to spend that for a bat.. and then had to sew a warmer. He said after this season he is headed to Greenville, TN where he and his wife are going to retire. Yes, he was more of a talker than I usually run into but at least, he stayed a distance away.
Coffee and Eyeglasses?


I love reflection photos, but never got so philosophical about them.
I have plenty of experience as a male in quilt shops–sometimes all by myself. 3/4 of a yard is enough to have your wife make a nice tie! Dan
Dan… I know…this staying in one place gets me to thinking too much! We move parks on Saturday. We have left no stone unturned here in Pensacola!
I have seen your tie collection! Very extensive, as I recall! I didn’t know you shopped for the fabric yourself, for them…I think that is really cool. This guy was actually doing the sewing of the warm up bags…had to get his sewing machine back from someone who borrowed it…I got an earful! Stay warm! We have the fan on tonight…still upper 60’s.
Great pics of the reflections – you have an eye for photos! Which makes me think of that “Eye and Coffee Shop”….now that is just weird! But glad you got some good coffee! Best part of today’s blog – sharing your strawberry dessert – You left out the official name……..”Minnesota Dessert”! I have heard it called that since marrying Chris 27 years ago. I think that was the first time I had strawberries, dipped in sour cream and then rolled in brown sugar! Delish! Love you guys. Miss you too.
So funny! That is what Ruthann calls it, too! We served it at the lake! I shall call it that now. 😁. The eye guy coffee guy had a pretty neat inside, as well with lots of tables and chairs and plenty of desserts! We passed on those.
As always, we love the pictures and the stories that go along with them. You have always had an eye for details. I love the reflection pictures! They give you a completely different view of your surroundings!
Karen, you can never think too much! Your mind is so full of details and ideas and you put them to great use! I love the project that you are working on, It amazes me that you can do that with pine needles. You and Harry both are so creative. Nothing that you guys do, surprised us.
So glad that you have turned over every stone there in Pensacola, but that is not a surprise at all!
“Minnesota Dessert” will always be my favorite dessert! It did not sound appealing to me at first, but the combination of all of it, was amazing! That was a Minnesota lesson, well learned! We love it.
Onyx will forever be in your hearts and her love for you both will always be with you. She was such a special loving, sweet girl. She will always be missed!
Stay safe,
Our love and prayers
Thank you, RuthAnn! You showed me a small pine needle basket when we were hiking this fall. When I saw the long needles, I thought I would try it. I have a long way to go but worked a bit this afternoon since it was raining. Not as pretty as the turquoise but I did get some black waxed thread that works well. On to our next campground tomorrow! Love you both! ❤️Karen