Tuesday 29th April

We have had some very severe weather across the Mid West the last couple of days.  Tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

It is not a good picture but that is an 18 wheeler truck blown over on its side.

It is not usual to have fatalities in tornadoes because there is enough warning to get into a shelter, but I think these tornadoes came through in the night.

It is moving westwards, the severe weather, and at the moment there is very serious flooding in the area of the Florida panhandle and Alabama.   People are stranded in their cars out there on the state line,  twittering away like mad.

Meanwhile in Shawnee where we have had temperatures in the 80s, they dropped to 60 today and it feels really cold.

I, however have been beavering away at the needlework for the wedding present.  I finished the little decorative pillow.

I think I told you both families of the couple are into Irish dancing.   All of Mark and Mary's offspring are very good at it - all 9 of them - and I think it is the bride's mother who runs the Irish dancing school.

I bought a piece of emerald green satin for the backing, then had second thoughts - as is my wont - so went out and got a piece of neutral coloured fabric.   I don't have a sewing machine but one of the chaplains, who owns a local dry cleaners and alterations business in town, put me in touch with one of their seamstresses, and she made it up for me.   She thought the green fabric was best for the back, so that is what I went for.   And that is it on the right.   With the piece of neutral fabric she knocked up another cushion, so perhaps I need to stitch something else.......................

At the minute I am working on cross stitching an Irish Wedding Blessing which I am hoping - if my ambitious ideas work out - to use for the card to go with the gift.

Bruce and Rosalyn left today for England, visiting Rosalyn's son and his family, and whose baby is being baptised on Sunday.    I hope they had a comfortable flight and safe arrival.