earlori7

I am a retired 71 year old (yikes how did I get that old so fast?). I am married, nearly 50 years and we have 2 sons - no grandchildren, darn it. I have many activities I enjoy - sewing, quilting, exercise, volunteering at a historical site helping to sew period costumes, play Mah Jongg with friends, reading and I bowl on a women's league.

I have been quilting for about 3 years and love it. I have been sewing since I was 12 years old, so the sewing part of quilting was not new to me. I love the swaps, although I haven't entered too many yet. I have to reign myself in because I want to do everything and then realize I only have time for so many activities.

I belong to a local quilting guild. The women in the guild are very helpful and I have learned so much about quilting from them. I have attended their annual quilt retreat for the past two years at the beach. I am looking forward to the up coming one in February.

Easy Listening, Light Classical and some Country as long as it isn't too twangy.

I love many types of books - not so much Science Fiction or sappy love stories. A few favorite authors are James Patterson, Ken Follett, Sara Paretsky, Pat Conroy and sometimes Janet Evonovich for fun. A few books I have enjoyed are Water for Elephants, South of Broad, The Help, Kitchen House, Pillars of the Earth, World Without End and The Fall of Giants. Recent books I have enjoyed are The Secret Keeper and am almost finished with The Shoemaker's Wife. I always have a audible book I am listening to. Mysteries are my favorites.

I don't watch a whole lot of TV, but I like The Mentalist, Revenge and Dancing With the Stars (I know - a bit lame). I love the Masterpiece Series on PBS (how could they kill off Matthew on Downton Abby?) and some of the shows on Discovery Channel and History Channel. There are lots of things to watch on Netflix.

Sewing and hand and machine piecing. I love piecing - just like puzzles. i do a little knitting, but am not very good at it.

Cotton fabric. I cannot pass up an opportunity to visit quilt shops and looking and feeling the fabrics. It is a double treat when I go to other cities as our fabric stores are scarce in Eastern NC. I like all colors, but expecially blues, golds, pinks and greens. I am a gadget person. I am always on the lookout for the perfect quilting tool or the perfect thimble. My collection of thimbles is growing as I haven't found just the right one so I will use the little pink plastic one until I find that perfect thimble. There are too many things I like to list and some of them are not material - like smiles and people and knowing their story. I love the companionship of my husband, keeping in touch with family and friends. I love the ocean and the beach. I love the new friendships I have made on Swap Bot.

I play Mah Jongg (the real Mah Jongg with tiles) with a group of ladies every week. At my age I need to keep the old brain working.