Hometown Christmas and an Irish Ghost Story

Thanks, everyone, for the tips on administering antibiotics to a devil cat. Next time I'm opting for a blow gun so I can shoot a little needle in her neck twice a day. I think it will be fun! Giving her the pill Friday night went a little easier and I didn't sustain a single injury. Then again, that's probably because I made my husband do it!

This month seems to be speeding by--before long, Thanksgiving will be here. And Christmas will follow close on its heels. It seems odd to see the ads on TV and in the newspaper and magazines for Christmas already--wasn't it just September?

Next week I want to get some quilting done since I seem to be amassing a large pile of small quilts, so I decided to get two piecing projects done now before I switch out my machines. First of all, the next section of Hometown Christmas which is due by the 15th. This is the fifth section; one more and we'll be halfway done! Here's a photo of mine:

This is the right side section of the first row. If you'll remember, I decided to move the tree from the center section to this one, so I have a tree and house. If you're making this project too and are following the original pattern, you'll have the house and a couple pinwheel blocks, I think.

The second project is a tree skirt for a swap I'm participating in--I'll start on that tomorrow. I'll be adding some applique so that will take a little time, but I want to get the piecing done as soon as possible.

Yes, I know Halloween is behind us, but a friend sent me a good Irish ghost story, and I wanted to share it with you--I hope you'll enjoy it! This story happened a while ago in Dublin, and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, its true!

John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night, in the midst of a storm. The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong, John could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stop.

John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door, only to realise there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn't running!!

Slowly, the car started moving. John looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he began to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared through the window and turned the wheel. John, paralysed with terror, watched as the hand repeatedly came through the window, but never touched or harmed him.

Shortly thereafter John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road, so gathering strength, he jumped out of the car and ran to the pub. Wet and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he just had. A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realised he was crying . . . and wasn't drunk.

Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the stormy night. They, like John, were also soaked and out of breath. Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other, "Look Paddy . . . there's that bloody idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!!"

Enjoy your Saturday! And if you're looking for a Saturday day-of-beauty routine tip, trim your toenails. That's what I did. After all, the holidays are coming and it's important to make a good impression!