The Temperature Afghan #WordlessWednesday

I've called it quits on a two year old crochet project. 

I promised you periodic updates on my temperature afghan for 2023 (yes, 2023) to keep me working on it.  

First, a refresher on what a temperature afghan is.  You don't have to crochet it, and you don't even have to make a blanket.

A temperature blanket uses colors to record highs and low temperatures (more on that later) over a certain period of time.  They can be used to record temperatures for a year, perhaps a calendar year, or the first year of a baby's life (to be presented as a birthday gift).   Some knit these, some quilt these.  Some make scarfs or sweaters.  The variations are endless.

So, in other words, Nature determines the colors and patterns of your work.

Here are the colors I used to represent the high for each day.

0 F (-17.8 C) and lower:  Pale Plum.  It would be most unusual where I live to have a high less than zero F, and, in fact, 2023 did not offer such a high.  But we did have a low of -5F (-20.5 C) one night so I decided to include a strip of low temperature color and high temperature color for that day.

In addition:

1-21F   Dark orchid

21-32F  Royal blue

33-43F  Turquoise

44-53F  Spring Green

54-66F  Kelly Green (think of St. Patrick's Day)

67-77F  Bright Yellow

78-88F Carrot orange

89-99F  Pretty in Pink

100F (38C) and above - Fruity Stripe (shades of pink - a variegated yarn) I didn't have to use it.  Thankfully.

I was working on it last year, when the fickle finger of fate landed on my spouse and me, and I had to abandon the project for a number of months.

This month, I started to work on it again, and realized it was so big that I really needed to end it.  So, I am ending it on the row I had abandoned in 2024, and here is the finished product. 

The temperatures at the bottom started at January 1 and it worked up to the top, using the color scheme.

I don't know what I will do about July 19-December 31, 2024 but it won't be part of this afghan. 

It's so big I couldn't get a really good picture of it with my iPhone, but I hope it gives you a good idea. I'm happy I did the project but I did miscalculate the size.  I have already found a use for the leftover yarn. I bought enough (at the late, great JoAnn Fabrics) to finish the project.

And now, I'm on to something else.  I've already started it and I'll make it a post one of these days.  Maybe.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

A Pancreatic Cancer Musical Tribute #MusicMovesMe

 It's Monday and it's time for music.  It's also time for a topic that is not happy, but is necessary.

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky above). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

Today's theme is "You Pick".

November is pancreatic cancer month.  At least two of my relatives on my father's side, and one on my mother's, died from this cancer, one of the most deadly known.  There are a number of celebrities who have died from pancreatic cancer, including Alex Trebek (beloved game show host), actors Joan Crawford, Patrick Swayze and Michael Landon, and astronaut Sally Ride.

Today, I want to pay tribute to people in the music world who died from this dreadful disease.   In so doing, I included various musical genres so there is something for almost everyone.

Composer Henry Mancini died at the age of 70 from pancreatic cancer in June of 1994, less than four months after his diagnosis.  For his tribute, I chose the Theme from the Pink Panther, a song popular right now because of the jewel heist at the Louvre. 

Aretha Franklin died from pancreatic cancer in 2018.  Her most famous hit may be 'Respect" but I am choosing another song, Think, here featuring the Blues Brothers.

I had blogged recently about D'Angelo, who died in October at the age of 51 after a prolonged, private battle.  The cause of death has been revealed as pancreatic cancer.  Here is one of his songs, Lady.

Luciano Pavarotti, operatic tenor, sings "Nessum dorma".

Next to last:  I had to include actor Patrick Swayze and The Time of My Life final dance from the movie Dirty Dancing.  

Finally, soul singer Billy Paul, age 81, who died in 2016.  Here is his 1972 hit "Me and Mrs. Jones".

And that's a wrap.

If you are interested, here are some facts about pancreatic cancer.  

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me. 

End of Foliage Season Shadows #ShadowshotSunday

We managed to have sunny day on October 26 and 28, and I took these shadow pictures.

Later in the week, we had rain and then some gusty winds.  The leaves are hanging on for now, but yesterday was gloomy. Halloween night was unpleasant and, maybe for that reason, we had no trick or treaters.

Joining Lisa at This and That - A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.
 

Farewell to October #SkywatchFriday

Today is the last day of October, and I decided to feature skies and fall color from the last week of October rather than have a Halloween-themed post.

Yesterday, it rained.  Today we are under a high wind warning.  By tomorrow, these leaves may well be mostly gone.  Another fall foliage season gone. 

Fall is so fleeting.

Burning bushes.

Tomorrow, we welcome (well, not me) November.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.
 

Koi #WordlessWednesday

The nursing home where my mother in law spent her last months had a koi pond.  The three of us (spouse, me, and mother in law) sometimes sat in the summer and watched the fish.

My spouse had an appointment in the area yesterday so I walked over and spent a few minutes with the fish.

I don't remember this explanatory sign posted in three places by the pond.  It reads, in part, "Koi fish become sluggish in cold water because their muscles and organs slow down.  They may float or rest at the pond bottom for long periods without much movement..."  I apologize for not having a better picture of the sign.

It was near 50F (10C) when I was there and the fish were moving.  Perhaps visitors were thinking, in the near freezing temperatures the last few mornings, that the fish were dying and were trying to "help" them.

It's so peaceful watching these fish.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.
 

More Inductions to Musical Heaven #MusicMovesMe

 It's Monday and it's time for music.

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky above). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

Today's theme is "You Pick".  Today, I continue to cover inductions into Rock and Roll Heaven.  Sadly my posts are continuing to almost write themselves.

Dave Ball, co-founder of the synth-pop duo Soft Cell, died in his sleep October 22 at the age of 66. 

I love this song so:  1981's Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go.  It was years before I knew that both songs (not just Where Did Our Love Go) were covers.

Sam Rivers, a founding member, bassist, and backup vocalist of Limp Bizkit,  died October 18 at the age of 48.  He had received a liver transplant in 2017, needed due to excessive drinking.   I have to admit, one of their songs is an absolute favorite of mine, even though the genre (nu metal) is not my favorite.  Here is Limp Bizkit's Nookie. 

After that song, we need something mellow and I turn to Michael Eugene Archer, better known as D'Angelo, a neo-soul singer, songwriter, and musician.  Sadly, he had led a troubled life touched by alcohol and drug abuse.  He influenced many artists, and some consider him one of the greatest R&B singers of all time.

 D'Angelo died October 14 at the age of 51.  Here is his cover of Smokey Robinson's song Cruisin'.

 

Thommy Price, age 68, died October 10. He played drums as a session drummer on albums for various groups including Blue Oyster Cult, Debbie Harry, and Ronnie Spector.  He played with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for some 28 years.  I'm not 100% sure he played drums on the Billy Idol song Rebel Yell, but he did drum for the Rebel Yell album so - yeah, maybe.

Welcome to Rock and Roll Heaven, inductees.   Things must be getting crowded there.

But before I leave, there is one more tribute I need to play.  June Lockhart, a marvelous actor, passed away October 23 at the age of 100.  Those in my generation will remember her as the Mom on Lassie and Lost in Space, but she actually started her acting career at age eight, performing with her parents (who were both actors).   

 In tribute to her, I feature the Lassie theme from the years I remember.  The original music is a variation on a piece called The Secret of Silent Hills. 

And that's a wrap.

Join me again next week for hopefully not another rock and roll induction. 

Double Shadows #ShadowshotSunday

Today's picture is shadows of a tree on a garage.

Both the left side shadow and the right side are shadows of an overhanging tree branch.
 

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for #ShadowshotSunday.