Rainbow Parting Gift

Paul retired from Hancock Church in January of 2021....right in the middle of the Covid shutdown. Not being able to gather with his parishioners was a strange way to close this chapter of his career. On his last Sunday....there were only nine of us in the sanctuary. The rest of the congregation was watching from home.

I made many so friends during my time at Hancock Church...and loved our time living in Lexington. I was active in a project group creating liturgical arts and helping with gardens.  

As a parting gift to the church I made this JOY banner for a niche at the top of the open stairwell....it was the perfect project for me at the time. 

I fused a full spectrum of batik fabrics and topstitched the piece with colorful threads. Joan and I made the tree quilt that hangs in the lower niche....and I'm guessing that by now it has totally faded from the sun. It was one of the first times I did a free motion stitching project.  

I think the JOY banner is out of reach of the sun...or at least I hope so. 

I've had a bluebird house for 3 or 4 years now. I've moved it around trying to find a spot that would attract these precious birds. They still come every day for their serving of dried mealworms. 

I've had chickadees nest in the house...and even a mouse....but not bluebirds until THIS YEAR! All day long I watched mom taking in nesting supplies while dad mostly perched on top. I couldn't be more excited! 

You have to look closely....I can't really get close enough to get a good photo. The mom is just coming out...and there's dad....keeping watch.

This seems like a good moment to share that just a few days after the house finches down at Patty's were hatched....a predator got to them. Patty found the empty nest on her sidewalk early one morning...and no sign of those precious little babies. We were both heartbroken. 

The circle of life. 

Paul and I are heading out on a road trip and an overnight tomorrow so my post will likely be a little late tomorrow.