May 30, 1951

Memorial Day — Went to show tonite, “Stampede,”. Real good. We drove out to cemetery before going to show. Reese was here for dinner. (Wait till Mary Ann hears). He worked for Daddy most of day. Listened to Ballgame. Lee Waller won International Speed Race at Indianapolis. I heard part of it.

I watched “Stampede”. As old westerns go, it was pretty good. 

Sounds like maybe Mary Ann might have a crush on Reese? 

I have no idea what ballgame they might have listened to, I just know that Vern didn’t miss very many of them. He loved to listen to ballgames on the radio. In his retirement years, he would take his portable radio out into the yard, plug it into the outlet from the yard lamp, get settled in his lawn chair under the shade tree, read the newspaper while listening to the game, and fall asleep in his chair before it was over! But he could always tell you who won!

Apparently, this day in 1951, the Indy 500 was also on the radio. Lee Wallard, who started in 2nd position, did indeed win this race. There were only 8 cars still running at the end of the race, and Lee’s car was in pretty bad shape — he sort of limped into the win. His prize money totaled $63,612. By the year 2000, the prize money was $1,235,690. Today it’s over $1.5 million . . . amazing, huh?

The 94th Indianapolis 500 is being run this very day, May 30, 2010, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The favored pick to win is Helio Castroneves, who has already won this race 3 times before.

While you’re watching the race, you can quilt.

Option 1 (large quilt):

Today you need the squares you cut yesterday and the two remaining Flying Geese units from your “Block 7” baggie. Lay them out as shown.

Sew a left square to the Flying Geese unit. Press the seam toward the square.

Add the other square to the right side. Press the seam toward the square.

Repeat for the remaining set of pieces.

Now you’ll also need your pinwheel/Flying Geese section from the “Block 7” baggie. Lay the rows out together as shown.

Flip the top row down onto the middle row, right sides together. Match the seams carefully, especially the center points. Pin in place. Stitch. Press the seam toward the top, or open, if you prefer.

Add the bottom row in the same manner, again being careful to match the seams. Press the seam toward the bottom, or open, whatever you prefer.

You’re now finished with Block 7 — are you excited? When you’re all done, don’t forget to go post a picture of it on the Flickr Group page. I want to see them!

Option 2 (small quilt):

Today you need the squares you cut yesterday and the two remaining Flying Geese units from your “Block 7” baggie. Lay them out as shown.

Sew a left square to the Flying Geese unit. Press the seam toward the square.

Add the other square to the right side. Press the seam toward the square.

Repeat for the remaining set of pieces.

Now you’ll also need your pinwheel/Flying Geese section from the “Block 7” baggie. Lay the rows out together as shown.

Flip the top row down onto the middle row, right sides together. Match the seams carefully, especially the center points. Pin in place. Stitch. Press the seam toward the top, or open, if you prefer.

Add the bottom row in the same manner, again being careful to match the seams. Press the seam toward the bottom, or open, whatever you prefer.

You’re now finished with Block 7 — are you excited? When you’re all done, don’t forget to go post a picture of it on the Flickr Group page. I want to see them!