July 27, 2010

Bindings, Bobcats and Bomb Scares...

On a scale of 1-100, yesterday was a 90, and I'm not talking just about the temperature! It was pretty darn eventful! I spent much of the day in the studio creating the binding for the "Charmed" quilt, and photographing the process for what has become a tutorial. I'll be adding photos to the tutorial today to share more of my "how to", and I'll finish that quilt later this morning. Now, I know that doesn't sound really exciting, but bear with me. It gets better.

Tuesday evenings are Books A Million "girls night out" for a group of us who get together to knit, crochet, sit around, drink coffee and chat. We all look forward to it.

I went through the garage to go to my Explorer (parked on the driveway) and saw - at first glance - what I thought was a large cat. It was sitting at the back of my vehicle and watched me punch in our code to close the garage door. It sat there as I walked toward it to get into the car. When I was still about 20 feet away, I said, "Hi Kitty" in a sweet voice. It stood up and just sauntered around my car, away from me, and it was at that point that I saw the short tail that gave away its identity.
Internet photo
It was a bobcat! I'd seen a larger bobcat here last fall, and then a young one this spring (sitting on the top of our mound system), so they're no stranger to our semi-rural neighborhood, or even our yard. I think this one is the young one I saw, now about four months older.

When I got to the car, I walked to the back side to be sure it wasn't under the chasis. I saw her standing about 15 feet from me, looking at me and swishing her tail. I lived with cats as a kid and knew that a swishing tail isn't something I wanted to fool with. I casually got in my car and backed out to go to Books.

When I got into the main part of the drive, there she was again. When she saw the car, she hightailed it back into the brush. I'll be watching for her now, and I understand what seems to grab Kes' attention now when we go out to the mailbox. She must be sniffin' "bobcat"!
I drove to Port Charlotte without incident. I got to the shopping center where Books A Million is locate only to be greeted at all entries to the parking lot by squad cars with lights flashing. The officer just directed traffic to the right as we entered, and then I saw people standing all around and a section of the lot cordoned off with police tape. What the...?

I parked and walked to the entrance to the store, and although the lights were on, all the doors were locked. Hmm? I asked a lady who was passing by what was going on. She told me that there was a car in the lot that had a sign on the windshield saying that there was a bomb inside the car! She was upset because her car was inside the police tape and they wouldn't let her move it and go home. Everything was on lockdown, employees and shoppers were all evacuated and at 6:30 pm - at this shopping center - commerce had come to a standstill.

My cell rang and one of the gals told me they'd all moved across the street to Panera's, so I got back in my Explorer and drove over to join them. I'm still surprised that the officers even let me into the parking lot for Books a Million. We watched the flashing lights on the squad cars all evening. When I left Panera's, it was 10:30 pm (Alright, so I got into a lengthy conversation with my friend, Krisann and we lost track of time.). The police had left the parking lot across the street only a half hour earlier. That shopping center was locked down for over four hours! I can't wait to read today's paper to find out how this all played out. (UPDATE: Here's a link to the story that appeared in Wednesday morning's local paper about the incident.)

So, there you have it. My day of "bindings, bobcats and bomb scares". Who would have thought?



PS. I still haven't found my seam ripper, but I like Rettabug's suggestion to get a magnet wand to look for it! Who knows what I'll come up with! xoxo

27 comments:

  1. You certainly had an eventful day - I don't wish to scare you, but I just did laundry ;)

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  2. OH no my friend I did not know you lived where there are bob cats. I pictured you in a safe haven surrounded by Handsome and Kes now I am worried about you. Good gosh I still can't get over that Bob cat sitting at your house. To think I am surrounded by woods and don't know what I would do if I saw one except maybe have an accident in my pants. Everyday that goes by depends are starting to call my name.
    On top of that we can't let you out of the house now because a bomb scare. Where did you say you live. lol
    I guess I had better get the little ole pink house ready for you my friend.
    Stay alert and be careful and I love love what your working on
    Love
    Maggie

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  3. Wow, Donna! Gorgeous quilt.

    You will have to follow up about the bomb in the car.

    I am bonding with my new hip and just getting comfortable enough to work on the computer and knit!

    Carol

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  4. Well, you sure had quite the day seems we aren't safe anywhere anymore...stay safe my friend
    ♥ & hugz

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  5. Wow! Good thing the beginning of the day was calm--helped to balance the end of the day! ; )
    ~Michele

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  6. Wow! I've never seen a bobcat up close. They are beautiful, aren't they? Was it unnerving to have the bobcat stare at you?

    And then a bomb scare! You lead an exciting life, my friend.

    xo
    Claudia

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  7. My goodness that is an eventful day!
    Thankfully you are okay and made it through without a scratch.

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  8. good gravy!! a bobcat? they are beautiful...but walking around your car? no thanks...
    what an eventful day you had!!

    xo+blessings,
    Anne Marie

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  9. Wow Donna what an exciting day! I love the bobcat part of the story as I adore animals but yeah the swishing tail is a warning, (at least you got one):) Love the quilt!
    Take care today...
    Tina xo

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  10. Dee, I love the quilt, I can't wait to see the tutorial. We need to have a coffee and chat, knit night on line.....that would be cool, we could all show what we are doing and visit too!!!
    How scary to have a bobcat and a bomb scare in the same day..... you be careful, that cat wanted something that was in your neighbourhood..... you will have to let us know what the scoop was on the bomb scare!
    Hugs,
    Mags

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  11. A Bobcat for you and a snake for me. I think I am ready for Winter.
    Debbie

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  12. Oh, my! That was enough excitement for a week, instead of just one day. Bobcats have been in our news this week, too -- roaming through neighborhoods and downtown Dallas! At least you ended the day on a wonderful note with friends!

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  13. Well Miss Donna you have been on some adventures haven't you....I think the bob cat would have scared me the worst...lol...I love you quilt and the binding...you work is always so right on and beautiful..

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  14. Good grief girl! "Hi Kitty?" Have you seen the ad where the woman is calling her kitty (it's bedtime) and through the garden door comes a racoon, and she says "good kitty" and something about snuggling. It's a ad for glasses. Mmmmm! You have had quite a day. I'll just send our bear down to round of your B list. Love the quilt by the way!

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  15. I am so thankful you survived yesterday with so much going on. Bindings are good but the rest NOT! Better days to you...

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  16. A 3-B kinda day. Amazing! Take care - I hope today is a little calmer!
    :)
    Zuzu

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  17. I love ZuZu's comment..a 3 B day
    We don't have Bobcat here, though they have found one on the side of the road so maybe they are here and we don't know it. We have a lot more Coyote than we used to. Probably just because of all the tree land going to house land.

    You are so lucky to have a Books. I used order by mail, but now buy most at Better World Books.

    You most definetely wil have a better day today.

    I meant to send you a note about my ATC. Will do that when I get home.

    Have a peaceful day.

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  18. Donna, your day was a 90 all right! I can do without wild cats and especially scary things like bombs! Good grief. Well,I hope today was much better for you. Can't have shaky fingers while quilting!
    Hugs, Diane

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  19. Even so, I envy the BAM night out with the friends.
    sigh.
    Dear Lord, remember me. I could use such a night.

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  20. The name of your vehicle describes you perfectly! What a day~ after days with a bit of "wild" my artwork is darker, deeper tones... heavy lines... wonder what type of difference it makes in your beautiful~ graceful work? :)
    Glad you are safe...
    Keep sniffin' out that kitty for your mom!
    Hugs!
    Michelle

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  21. Well good grief! That was like something out of a movie..swishing cat tail...standing at your car...bomb threat. Dag! Ok...I had to laugh though because I'm so like you and would just kinda think what's going on here and kinda push it out of the way because I'm on mission to see the gals at the bookstore! I can't believe the police let you by! Too funny. Glad nobody was hurt. :)

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  22. Hmmm, is there a full moon? I talked to my mother today and she told me of an odd sort of day she had too. Anyway, watch out for the three b's, 'bindings, bobcats, and bomb scare! My goodness, Donna!

    Linda

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  23. Hi Donna, I love your new blog look that our friend Karen did for you. She does such beautiful work to accomplish what each of us want that is for sure. We have had bobcats in our neck of the woods. I just don't want to get to close to them. Bomb scare I really don't know what I would do under that circumstance, but still try to see who I was going to see. We had a shower this evening, but didn't really cool it down any. It is to stay hot for the rest of the week. Have a great day, Your Missouri Friend.

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  24. Those are one kind of kitty I'll leave alone. Your story reminds me of the time 40 years ago that my mom walked into her local grocery in the middle of a holdup. If you knew my mom, you'd be laughing! Hope you have a better day, and Donna, your quilt creation is gorgeous as always!
    xo,
    Debra

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  25. Yowza - that WAS an eventful day. Hopefully you spent the evening just totally relaxing. That would have been TOO much excitement for me in one day! Theresa

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  26. Wowee,,what a day, makes a gal want to lay low till the full moon passes. I am glad you are ok and still managed to get together with the girls.
    Have a great weekend!
    Love
    Marcie

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  27. What an exciting day you had, Donna! I remember heading out for my daily early morning walk when we lived in Venice. There was a bobcat with its paws up on our garbage can. I said "shoo! SHOO!" but it didn't shoo at all. Just glared at me. I turned around & went right back inside. Yikes!

    I took my laptop & sat at that exact Panera's the last time we were in FL. We'll have to make arrangements to meet there when we return this coming winter. :D

    fondly,
    Rett

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna