Monday, March 8, 2010

Goodbye, Digistitch!

 The Digistitch cannot run with Windows 7. I want PC Stitch Pro, but it is beyond my means right now.

The good news is that the scanner has been installed.

I will finish the peacock and chart it by hand, then scan it in. 

I  don't have any picture files loaded yet. There is so much to do with setting up and registering programs,

Friday, March 5, 2010

A Peacock WIP

 
This is a peacock from a Dover Publications book by Anne Orr. I don't know how I'm going to finish it. Sorry for the darkened photo.

We're going to give the old computer to a neighbor family that doesn't have one.  Their child is one of granddaughter's friends. My son said that Windows XP will be supported for some time. He will walk me through how to erase the hard drive before we give it to them. 

I plan to get them a surge protector/emergency back-up, as without it the whole system will down down fast. We get frequent power surges during storms. I also plan to buy them a printer. I checked out Wal-Mart online and there are definitely cheap multifunction models. We have plenty of wal-Marts around here so we'll probably be able to find something on sale in the store.
People who have do not realize how difficult it is to function without a computer and internet access. Granddaughter's school is no longer going to send home paper notices. It will be online (their website) or through email sign-up. You have to ask to have a paper copy sent home. Plus, the statewide exams that are given in May require all students to type in their composition portion of the exam. We're talking about elementary students who haven't been given typing lessons in school, yet.
 

Thursday, March 4, 2010

A Big Surprise

Yesterday I opened the door to see a Fedex lady with two big boxes. "Here's your new computer," she said.

I've never been so shocked in my life. I realized that my DS purchased it to replace the 9 yr. old Gateway that we've been using (yes, it's a dinosaur). I was crying buckets for a while.

So, I have to transfer all of our picture and document files onto CD's before I  set it up. I am afraid that my ancient Digistitch program is not going to work on the new Windows 7 operating system, so I'm trying to finish a couple of freebie patterns for sharing with you  before I make the big switch.

I've sent for a typing tutor program so granddaughter and I can learn to type. I never learned in school (it was the "business course") in those days, and the Mavis Beacon we had got ruined before I could learn.

Hopefully, it will run the PRIMO PDF and any other up-to-date programs that I need.

Oh, yeah--it's a Dell (desktop).

DS got a phone call full of X's and O's last night!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Stop MTR Free Cross Stitch Chart

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Some months ago I read about the about mountaintop removal that has been going on for some years in Appalachia. I had no idea of how destructive it is. I could hardly sleep the night after viewing the images of our West Virginia mountains that have been transformed into something akin to a lunar landscape.

We need coal. About 50 % of the electricity we are using is generated by coal. However, the topography of Appalachia is much different than that of Wyoming. West Virginia (and the other Appalachian states) possess rich hardwood forests that are the home to many, many plant and animal species.

West Virginia is losing much by allowing the enormous scale of this type of mining. Planting grass over the mining sites will not equal the loss of species, habitat, fresh water, tourist dollars, and timber for many woodworkers and manufacturers.

The little motifs are examples of the diverse species found in West Virginia that are being affected by MTR.Left to Right:  black bear paw print; American ginseng berries and root; black walnuts; Black Mountain salamander;
red fox paw print; yellow poplar leaf; Eastern whitetail deer hoof prints.