Mixed bag today

On Wednesday, I received my new iPhone Scooter ordered for me, and we actually didn't even think about a case at the time. So far, I am loving this gadget that will come in so handy for me when we travel. Two days later, I'm still teaching myself about all of the features. I was very concerned though that the face of it would get scratched, and what if I drop it? Scooter saved some Crown Royal bags from years gone by, so he offered me one of them until I could get over to the AT&T store, which I'm planning on today. So yesterday, I dropped by our local Wal Mart for a few things and remembered they sell iPhone accessories in the electronics department. When I pulled my phone out of my purse, in its very regal looking temporary 'case', the sales woman began laughing hysterically and said "THAT'S the best one I've seen yet!!" Maybe I should keep it after all and sport a tiara? Hmmm, a little too much bling, even for me!

In knitting news, I'm happy to say that I am binding off the last of four rectangles I mentioned previously for an afghan to go to an online friend's companion who has been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. They will more than likely get cleaned and blocked today and sent off in the mail by Monday to arrive next week where all of the beautiful blocks will be assembled. I can hardly wait to see pictures of this phenomenal project!! Some of what I would call world expert knitters have been working diligently on some gorgeous pieces of art to be included in this. They are mainly Alice Starmore stitch patterns, and I'm hoping Alice herself will recognize this stunningly beautiful work filled with love and hope for our friend.

Speed kills and yesterday was proof of it in my community. We have a major thoroughfare that goes down one whole side of our neighborhood, and along the way, there are nice wide sidewalks for walkers, joggers, skateboarders, etc., a golf course, and a couple of elementary schools with parks beside them that aren't more than a block from this main road. On Wednesday, a young man stole a new Audi from a local dealership and when police noticed him driving erratically a couple of miles away, blowing through red lights at speeds in excess of 75mph in 40-45mph zones, they gave chase. When they saw him turn onto this main road bordering my neighborhood, they slacked off due to concern for public safety. Three minutes later, driving down the wrong way of a two lane road, he crashed head on into a daycare provider's mini-van that was carrying four small children, two of them age 4 and the other two age 2. All of the children are expected to be fine, with two of them having been released from the hospital last night. However, the driver of the Audi was killed instantly, and the woman driving the mini-van is in serious condition at a local hospital. The speed limit down this road is 40mph, and my niece lives about a block from the site of the accident. So I took the backroads through the neighborhood to go check on her, but chose to come back home by way of this main road. It was so flippin' amazing to look in my rear view mirror at one point and see a woman just inches from my bumper, obviously wanting me to break the speed limit. Uh hello, did you just not notice where we came from an intersection that is blocked off and signs everywhere saying Road Closed and Accident Ahead? Scooter and I made a vow to each other last night that from now on, we will NOT go any faster than the posted speed limit. Traffic has gotten crazy, and as evidenced from the accident yesterday, it's just not worth anybody's life. Even if you think this young man deserved the consequences of his actions, somewhere, there is still a grieving family. Emergency responders also commended the daycare provider for her care and use of proper carseats for the children. Had it not been for that, those children would've been tossed around like little ragdolls and who knows what injuries they may have ended up with, or even worse, death. So please, please, please, use caution, do the posted speed limit, and just be aware of what's around you!!!! Having said this, I hope y'all have a wonderful and very safe weekend!!!

It's obvious we have fall weather approaching here in northern California. The days are now breezy, still a bit warm in the afternoons, cool in the evenings (bring out the shawls and capelets!), and with that certain smell in the air. It always puts me in the mood to do more crockpot meals, or bring out our huge soup pot and let our dinner simmer away. My mom uses these seasoning packets and when I made her a stew last week while she was recuperating, it smelled heavenly, so I thought I would give it a try. With rain forecasted for the weekend (Sunday I think), I'm in the mood to put on a beef stew and make some cornbread from scratch. With a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge, a hearty downhome meal, and a movie that arrived yesterday from Netflix, we're set for the evening! Makes me want to cuddle up with Scooter (Maggie insists on being in there too) and get started on a new knitting project while we watch our movie. What are your plans for the weekend???