>>>>

Friday, September 10, 2021

When Internet Fails - Quilting Ramps Up!


For the second time in a week - our internet has gone out at the Quiltville Inn & QPO studio property.

It wouldn't be such a big deal if I didn't need the internet to even give me a cell signal via my booster - but it is what it is, and when the internet goes out we find other things to do.

I can only hope that these two big outages have been due to IMPROVEMENTS with CenturyFink, not more duct tape fixes on an already antiquated and less than modern system.

We are just one notch above dial up after all, it's all we can get out here.  

I told myself that it was time for a break anyway - I had been at my big computer screen designing and writing for the past 2 solid days or more - and too much screen time for drawing graphics and writing text is hard on the eyes, and the brain power.

It's much better to plug in an audio book and press and cut, press and cut!


I'm listening to The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah.

Description:

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown.

At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.

In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska―a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.


***Trigger warning:***  I'm only part way into this book, and there is some pretty horrible spousal/child abuse and violence.  I'm not sure I'm going to finish it but we shall see.


In the mean time, while listening:


I was able to subcut some neutral strips into the bagillion rectangles I need to sash my 25-Patch quilt! And yes, I threw in some of that funny TP paper because - well, because.


After work painting time!

The big job of painting the wrap around porch at Quiltville Inn has begun. 

And yes, there are some places where the grey paint got on the white - but there is white paint to come to fix those couple of splotches.


It's a huge job!

But it looks so good!

We will also be repainting the porch rails - and as long as September weather holds out, we have the perfect opportunity to get it done because I am not in Poland, or Vietnam, or anywhere else in the world right now.  

The new oven/stove is on its way and these things seem to be falling into place the way they should.

How far did I get on the pattern writing front before the internet went out?


Up to the photography finishes for September Sky!

The plan is to release this one at the same time as Spider & The Fly next week, but I need internet to finish it all - and I need my big monitor to do the design and layout work, not the laptop I write from while at the cabin (where I am now connected with cell data) so fingers are crossed it will return today.

According to the website, they are still out this morning.

So since it is Friday, and I feel the need for a quilty pick me up - let's do this:


I have marked my Appalachian Autumn PDF pattern at25% off through September!

No coupon code required!

It's time to start in on the fall projects - to pull out those oranges, golds and browns and dig in to some comfort sewing with the upcoming change of seasons!

The sale price will remain through September 30th, and revert to full on October 1st, 2021.  Don't miss out!


And I'll do my best to get those new two ready as soon as the internet is back!

In the mean time - there will be more porch painting in progress through the weekend.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Jingle Bell Square quilt from my book Addicted to Scraps available at deep discount in the Quiltville Store.

Gratitude helps keep things in perspective and there is so much to be grateful for.  

(Internet or not!)


Happy Friday, everyone! 



 

42 comments:

  1. GAH! I have Appalachian Autumn and Jamestown THIS close (holding thumb and finger millimeters apart)!!! Need to finish them up now that I've gotten 4 QOVs to the quilter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I feel your Internet pain. Hope it is resolved soon!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CenturyFink, love it! We have the same provider here in Indiana and much problems also. But, in a few months our rural electric company is providing fiber internet - we can hardly wait!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just listened to Kristin’s new book The Four Winds. It is amazing. I binge listened for 2 days. Don’t miss this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree! The Four Winds is not my usual favored genre but it was an amazing book!

      Delete
    2. I listened to that book. It was a good one.

      Delete
  5. Dang, the book sounded intriguing. Thank you for the upfront warning; I hope you will let us know if you continue on or pass. Eagerly awaiting the release of your new patterns! Love September Sky!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can FEEL the frustration of internet outages. Hang on, dear Bonnie! You have a huge fan club cheering you on.
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Great Unknown is not a cozy read but it is as suspenseful as The Nightengale. You will think about it forever.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ARGHHH, I, too, am "this" close to finishing Appalachian Autumn and have found 4 HST that are upside down... all w/grey background. imagine, the quilt is ready to go to the Long Arm... do i spend a few more hours (or pretend I don't see it?)...found the first one whilst pressing yesterday, then i LOOKED>.. omg...found 3 more-- was gonna just leave em and she's a "busy" quilt and they're not noticeable, much, sgeesh... this morning, rested, bright eyed and ready to go, i'm thinking i'd best do the right thing and fix those upside down HSTs,,, with gratitude that i found 'em before she was quilted!!! That's my day, last night summer left in a storm of thunder, lightning and rain!!! Surprise, since i watched football instead of the news!!! Bonnie, I feel your pain, our water was shut off in the community for a couple days! makes ya' REALLY grateful for the stuff ya' take for granted... hugs all around Cats in Carlsbad CA

    ReplyDelete
  9. I ordered Appalachian Autumn last year and have the foundation papers cut but somehow it got put to the side.🤔 I think I need to get it out and get going. Happy stitching everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I cannot believe it has been a year since you released Appalachian Autumn! Your new one looks splendid, :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Somehow I don't think CenturyFink was a typo!! LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't know if it is available in your area,but look into Starlink. Amazing speeds, but a little pricey.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dial-up! And we thought we'd died and gone to heaven! Now we have fibre - the best.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I listened to the Great Alone. Stick with it. Yes, rough in spots, but like all Kristin's books, the overall story line has stuck with me. Which means for me, it was a good book.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I had to stop reading your blog to write my comment. Please continue reading Kristin Hannah's book, The Great Alone, it is all-in-all a very good, but unexpected, love story. I highly recommend The Nightingale and Winter Garden by Kristin too. Now back to finish reading your blog, which is my daily first thing to do on my list.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bonnie, please finish listening to the book. It has a good ending and is worth getting thru the abusive parts. Then listen to her book The Four Winds.

    ReplyDelete
  17. That Porch looks fabulous! Good job Hubster. Love the Neutral rectangles. TP fabric, don't have any in my stash.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My astute nephew, who is an author who works from home, demands a refund from the cable company for each day he is out of service.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Great Alone is worth the finish. There are parts that are tough to read, yet it is such a compelling story. I have read several other books - all excellent reads. We are so spoiled with our Internet and instant communication, so I'm glad you are able to take it as an opportunity to be occupied with other projects. have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  20. We live on a mountain and our only source for internet is via satellite. It's better than nothing, but there are times when it seems like it's slower than dial-up. I hope your internet returns soon!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Don't give up on the book. I loved it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Bonnie- From the Great white North that is not white (Thank Goodness), Yes, The Last Frontier.

    Unfortunately, yes there is a lot of abuse and violence here, and sexual abuse; and not just in the winter time. It is something they try to work on, but not much progress seems to be made. A lot happens with the native women and girls, and in the villages. But a lot happens all over the state, too. Someday, I hope they get a handle on it!

    It is gray and over cast, but not raining at the time. Still hoping for warmth and sun to mature veggies and fruits, and let the tomatoes all ripen.

    Donna
    Kasilof, AK

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristen Hannah does do a lot of research about the places and topics in which she writes. I just watched a good movie on Netflix called Wind River. It wasn’t in Alaska but at the end it told about how many native women are missing and that the BIA doesn’t even keep records for missing women hence they rarely even look for them.

      Delete
  23. Bonnie- our internet is not the best either. But living in the country, in Alaska; Satellite is our only option. They have line of sight in Homer and some areas of the Kenai, but not where I live, too many beautiful trees! I am four miles from the nearest tower, so not yet.

    Donna
    Kasilof, AK

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have read this book and it is worth finishing. I agree, it is heavy on abuse but I think you will be glad to finish.

    The steps and porch look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I know many will not even pay attention however here goes. I have Spectrum and they are even in Alaska, so why not call them and see if they have a way to get your internet to you. It is reliable 99 percent of the time. We bundle our internet,phone and tv and all is good and it is fast. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  26. That book you are listening to is very good but it is very dark! I listened to the whole thing and was satisfied with the ending. I just hadn't anticipated something this dark from her. I did listened to the Four Winds on your recommendation and enjoyed it very much even though it normally wouldn't have been my favorite type of book. I think her writing is becoming more gritty and realistic which I appreciate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree...The Great Alone is well worth the effort to get through the tough spots...and one to remember and ponder. Stick with it!

      Delete
  27. I have Centuryfink too. Daughter 25 miles away does too. I was the home school teacher during Covid for 18 months with my grandson and had a hard time connecting some days. He got so far behind with missing assignments and not being able to log in. If we had another choice in our area both households would change.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Bonnie, I just spent four glorious days sewing with my San Diego BFF. We are making Basket Toss quilts from my scraps. Our in-person retreat of two was filled with laughter and sweet memories. One year ago we made Grassy Creek together by phone and FaceTime. There is no doubt that our friendship while long lasting has been enriched by our quilting stories. Thanks for the memories!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The Great Alone is a good book, I read it on my way to an Alaskan quilting cruise 2 years ago. Have really enjoyed all her books. Have you ever read Steven James chess series? Really good if you are a mystery/thriller fan. Nothing to do with chess.

    ReplyDelete
  30. CenturyLink here too. Don't have too many problems here but I was just told by a friend whose hubby retired from CenturyLink that they were just bought out and it's not even a phone company. Worry about what that might mean.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think I’ve read all of Kristin Hannah’s books. Four Winds was emotionally difficult to read but well worth it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Keep reading! The Great Alone was the first Kristin Hannah book that I read and since then I have read many of her books. Tough reads, but they do have an upbeat ending. I have to read lighter fair in between them.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Stick with the book- it is worth it!! KARMA!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. The Great Alone is one of my all time favorite books. Keep going.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Bonnie, finish the Great Alone, I still remember things in that book about Alaska that were so interesting.You will love the way this turns out. And thanks for the reminder about Appalachian autumn, let me get that UFO out and work on it.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oooh, don't give up on The Great Alone...great read despite some passages that are difficult. I've devoured each of her books that I've read!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Bonnie, I live waaaaaay off the grid, satellite wifi is the only option, one provider Hughes net, not a fan at all! It’s sooooo slow, and expensive, I have to turn my modem off 12 hrs a day, even then I only have 0% left 3 weeks into my cycle. A few months ago I ordered SkyLink. My neighbors got it, and love it. Both the sons are computer geeks, live in Salt Lake M-F,nand they both say StarLink is amazing. I can’t wait. Living in rural America definitely has its pluses and minuses, so, we go with it the best we can.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have Kristin Hannah's "Nightingale". I'm so sorry about your Internet. I've just discovered your website! Thank you for your great blog!⚘

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)