If idle hands are the devil's workshop, then Edith Pryor's must be heaven-sent.

        Ms. Pryor is 87. She's got one good eye, thank the Lord.

        Her legs don't bend like they used to. When she goes out, it's in a wheelchair.

        But she still spends seven hours most days crocheting American flag afghans.

        Ms. Pryor has been crocheting since she was a girl in Corryville.

        For a sale at her church, Grace Lutheran in Westwood, Ms. Pryor donated crocheted Santas and wreaths.

        In the past 10 years, crocheting became a way to knit together the long hours of each day.

        A daughter's friend asked her in October to make a red, white and blue afghan for a boy. Ms. Pryor found an old pattern for a flag and set to work.

        A nephew asked Ms. Pryor if she'd make another flag for a raffle for the Harlan Township Fire Department, where he volunteered. Ms. Pryor got out the crochet hook, and the department raised $584.

        Then, the Ladies Auxiliary of Amvets Post 1988 in Monfort Heights wanted a flag afghan to auction. Word of mouth being what it is, Ms. Pryor has spent the last five months crocheting.

        Each flag, which measures 4 feet by 5 feet, takes about two weeks. She's on afghan No. 10.

        Ms. Pryor can't make it to church anymore, but members come to visit and bring her communion.

        Crocheting is “about the only thing I can do,” says Ms. Pryor. That, and read the Bible.

        “It gives me encouragement,” she says. “Once in a while, I get depressed so I get my Bible out and read.”

        Psalms are her favorite.
       

Meet Mideast observer

        You've heard her on the radio, now see journalist Linda Gradstein live.

        The National Public Radio correspondent will fly from Jerusalem to Cincinnati to talk about the conflicts in the Middle East at a free lecture Wednesday sponsored by the American Jewish Committee and Christ Church Cathedral.

        Ms. Gradstein has covered the Middle East for several years and won awards for reporting on the Gulf War and the assassination of Israel's former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

        The lecture, “The Future of the Middle East: Terrorism or Reconciliation?” begins 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church, Fourth and Sycamore streets, downtown.
       

God within

        Author Robert Moore will explore the “God within” at a four-hour seminar Feb. 23 sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Friends of Jung.

        At St. John's Unitarian Church in Clifton, Dr. Moore will discuss the philosophies of Carl Jung and Edward Edinger and his own research.

        Information: 984-2059.
       

Readying for Sacraments

        Nearly 1,600 children and adults will take another step Sunday toward full communion in the Catholic church. Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk and Bishop Carl K. Moeddel will preside over special services in Cincinnati and Dayton.

        These preparations will culminate with the celebration of baptism, confirmation and first communion at Easter Vigil.

        Check out www.enquirer.com, keyword: events, for more religion listings.
       Send religion news to rthompson@enquirer.com or contact Richelle Thompson at 755-4144 or 755-4150 (fax)

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