Wow, Dr. Robinson called me himself with the good news – a perfect scan. Who could ask for better news? I do have to keep repeating it every 6 months which will mean I go back in August and surely the weather will be okay. How about the 5 year construction plan – ugh. If nothing else I’m going to park somewhere and take a taxi. Sigh. I can’t go through that worry from now till August.
I have rested today and watched the Olympics for hours. Moe is here for a few days – I’ve always said she’s the perfect dog.
Hazel and Moe are such great friends leaving Hank and Keeper to “rassle”. I’m happy Hazel gets her own special friend.
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Brenda Jeffers has made great improvements but certainly has a tough road ahead. Here is her note:
Hi Mary,
I want to begin by saying a heartfelt thank you to those who have sent me a card. As of today, I have received 83 cards! Can you believe it? I am simply overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone for being so kind to a stranger. People who took the time out of their busy schedule to write a note and send words of encouragement to me has warmed my heart.
Yesterday, I went to the neurosurgery office to have my first evaluation since being released from the hospital. The news I came away with was a bit discouraging – please allow me to provide a medical explanation. I broke my cervical vertebrae in the #1 position. This bone is a bit different than the other bones in our backs. The C1 vertebrae is also known as the atlas, the first bone of the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck. It is responsible for literally supporting the entire weight of the skull. It is responsible for our ability to nod ‘yes’, allows for head rotation is which known as the ‘no’ movement of our heads, it protects vital structures (the upper spinal cord and provide passage of some of the arteries to the brain, and finally, it is the origin for several neck muscles that controls the find head movements. Because of all these important functions, the neurosurgery team told me that they want me to continue to wear the cervical collar for another 8 weeks! (it will be a total of 12 weeks in all). Boy was I deflated and completely disappointed. I thought I was told it would only be 8 weeks (thinking I only had 4 more to go).
This means I am to be restricted to a 10 lb weight limit, no movement of my head, which includes a simply bending over to pick up something as simple as a dropped Kleenes. The hardest part of all of this, of course, is I cannot drive while in this collar. I don’t remember if I mentioned this before – my husband was diagnosed with moderate cognitive impairment last summer and gave up his driver’s license after an accident.. So, we have to depend on friends over the next 8 weeks.
In the mail today I received a precious card from a lady also named Brenda. She wrote the following information in my card – “Remember it is a blessing to those who help in hard times. Don’t deny those who want to help of those blessings. And anyone who offers to help really does mean it.” I needed to hear that today because of the news I received yesterday. When I went into the appointment yesterday, I was thinking “only 4 more weeks – I could do this.” After the appointment with them telling me 8 more weeks. . . After reading Brenda’s card, I felt like I would be okay and I will be okay.
So, the neurosurgeon said that the basic ‘cure’ for this type of injury is time – time in the collar and rest. Thank you, thank you again to each and everyone who has sent cards, prayed for me, or sent good wishes. ‘See’ you in Mary’s blog.
My deep gratitude,
Brenda
*********************
A reader asked about a piece of a quilt in a photo I posted – Cynthia figured it out. It’s Garden Club.
I wish I had a case of these books to sell. The BOM full package is listed at $149.95 on Etsy.
I also wish I could print a full catalog but I can’t and won’t. There’s a limit to how much I can take on and every request or suggestion just isn’t possible. It’s just me, remember? No Connie. Some of these designs are simply gone forever – we were in business from 1980-2013. Many many quilts in that time. We closed because we were tired and now it’s 2026 and I’m still tired. Does anybody ever make these quilts? Or do you just collect the patterns because they’re only $5?
Country Living Magazine
Here are some sample pages that I poured over and still love today!
My taste obviously has changed very little because I still love these pictures and so many more in those early issues.
My shoulders are aching tonight – another side effect of my day driving yesterday. Ugh. And the blessing of my clean scan – I think I was more worried than I thought because I’m really relieved tonight. I guess I’ll have another ice tea!😊
Mary, Just a note to you about Mayo. As long as you need an A.M. appointment, maybe you should make your August appointment now before their schedule fills up.
Brenda does look better. ❤️🙏🏻
So happy on your great news, that is over the top great ❤️🙏🏻,
I have lover Country Living since the beginning and also have all the issues, I also have Country Home Magazine
Love that one too.
All your pets are beautiful and so much fun to see
Kathy – OMG! Me, too! I began to love Country Home. more than Country Living. You saw how mine are stored – I’m curious about where you keep your collection?
Mary, what wonderful news on your scan, Yea!! I often took my mom to Mayo in Rochester, and I think they go out of their way to make parking a nightmare. I wish you luck on your next visit, may the parking gods be with you.
Yeah! Your scan was clear. That sounds like a great doctor that personally called you with the news.
Brenda, you are looking so much better.
It’s wonderful Hazel has a special friend to come visit.
It’s really cold today, so I think I’ll just enjoy my sewing machine.
Prayers answered on the scan results, Sometimes we are our own worst enemy when it comes to dr. appts. for me it’s even the annual check up when I’m feeling great! I can relate to the parking chaos in Rochester. I went to tech school there and lived with 3 nurses . None of them even had a car and we only lived 2 blocks from St. Mary’s. I had to drive out to the tech college on the other side of town everyday for classes. It was a crap shoot at that time what traffic would be. I can’t imagine it now and with all the changes and construction to boot!
Brenda, so happy you are mending well and as the saying goes, this too shall pass. My mother in her later years always had this response when another issue came up – ‘Such is life’. We have all taken on that attitude in our lives also. After all , she made it to 93! Take care Mary and enjoy some relaxing time for you.
So glad your scan came out with good results. I would guess your shoulders hurt because you were pretty stressed and keyed up about driving in that terrible storm going home. Also sorry you had an awful time trying to find a parking place. Hopefully your August appointment will go much better and that you get good results from the test
So happy about your good report! Mary, you may be tired…but we all need you! So keep strong…..keep the good work going and you will have a great reward in heaven! You have no idea how much you are loved and appreciated by your followers. 💕
Brenda, I was so sorry to hear about your extended time in the cervical collar. That said, though, I know you want to be completely healed and ready to enjoy late spring and summer. Mary is right. You do look so much better. Hang in there, girl. You are coming along great.
Good news, Mary, about your clean test results. Hoping Aug. will be just as good. Hate to think of you out in that Gawd awful weather, though. At least Aug should be way better, weather wise.
Country Living Magazine! Oh, how I loved it too. I still have a couple of issues and wish I had saved more of them. I never tire of looking at those cozy rooms.
Mary,
I’m so glad your scan was a great report. It is a big relief. And I also am glad Brenda is healing. What a great improvement with her bruising. I’m sorry to hear she has to keep the collar on for additional weeks and wish her patience!
We are going into our third day of rain. It is so muddy in my chicken coop area. I almost wish my chickens were ducks so they could swim! I had a funny adventure Tuesday evening when I went to shut the chickens in for the night. It had rained all day so was quite slick on the ground around the coop. It was raining, dark, and very windy. I decided to put the umbrella down so that it would not blow over.(I Have an old umbrella from my deck that I wasn’t using anymore, and I put it up in the coop to provide shade for the chickens..yes I spoil them!) anyway, I was underneath the umbrella, trying to crank it down, and it started to hail. The hail was the size of big marbles and it was coming down incredibly fast. In a matter of two or three minutes, the ground was covered with round icy hail balls! I got the umbrella folded down and laid It down on the ground. The rain was sideways, and the hail made it even slicker On the ground. I took off running toward my son‘s house. And I sheltered in place until the hail stopped. Walking all the way up his driveway and into mine I was crunching on the hail. I’m very thankful I did not fall down inside the coop area because I would have been a mess. These chickens have provided me with many fun adventures! 😜I’m off to get the eggs and give the girls some fish eggs. Husband has been fishing 3 days and got his limit of perch each day. He harvested the eggs and fried them up. Yesterday, hubby took a dish of them to the chickens and they basically attacked him! My turn today, I hope I make it out alive! You all have a good day! 🌻
We give our girls crab guts when we go crabbing. They LOVE them. Aren’t chickens fun?
Sue,
Yes!!
Robbie🌻
Sunflower–your hail ‘adventure’ was something else! I can’t imagine trying to wrestle an umbrella in that wind and hail. Glad you are okay and didn’t fall. We had hail once that broke several windows on our cars — that was not fun. Fortunately, we are able to put our cars in the garage now.
Hi! I’m a new reader to your blog, a sort of quilter, (lost my mojo), and a long time subscriber to CL. I’m happy you got a good call from your doctor! And, Brenda, you’ve got this too!! I wanted to say, someone local here put out a call for magazines, I really need to get rid of “stuff”, so volunteered some CL magazines. She was thrilled, and has asked for more, she works for a private concern that helps people whose children are in foster care, trying to get back on their feet, and reunited. They are making vision boards and love the magazines! And as I’m dusting them off I’m looking through them and enjoying the trip down memory lane. I’m on the 20th anniversary era now. They were $2.95 an issue back then.
I was just thinking about Brenda yesterday. She is on the mend. Good news.
Good news too for you Mary. Excellent. I worry about things like you and in the end, I find it was nothing to worry about–referencing the parking situation. I have to remind myself “deep breaths”. My body gets tight and tied into knots. I hate it!
We got about 6″ of snow and it was total white out for hrs due to winds. Looks like winter again. Rds are still nasty so canceled my trip to the city. I am staying in and sewing! Best ever!
Fran – and we didn’t get one flake!! We need the moisture however. Yes, the parking situation was anxiety plus – I never have anyone who will go with me. Of course who wants to spend a day driving and sitting in a waiting room. I usually treat myself to Red Lobster but couldn’t eat before my scan and afterwards it was too late. Sigh.
What wonderful news on your scan. Prayers answered. Brenda, you’re looking good—collar and all. Sounds like the “card shower” is good medicine.
I too, used to look forward to each issue of Country Living magazine. I quit subscribing for a while and then just recently subscribed again but, it’s disappointing. Same goes for the Midwest Living magazine. Both magazines used to contain recipes and rooms that I could relate to but now, they’re geared more towards what someone in Chicago would decorate and recipes with ingredients I’ve never heard of.
In the middle of another snow storm here today. Schools closed and roads terrible.
Congratulations on your clean scan Mary. What a blessing! I have enjoyed reading about the Country Threads journey. God bless.
The Garden Club is an awesome quilt!
Good news about your Mayo visit, Mary.
Thank you, Brenda, for an update. Lots of love and prayers are sent your way for a complete recovery. I can’t imagine your disappointment after your doctor visit so hopefully the time will pass quickly for you and the healing will be worth the wait.
Your patterns are back in style ! The cold minimalist home is headed out the door and warm, comfy personal style is coming back in. It is about time !!! I belong to a stitch and quilting group and we have been making your patterns together. The door banners have been our latest. We decided we would each take one of your banners, kit it up for everyone and sew them together in turn. It has been so much fun !!! We get together twice a month and work on these projects. The pattern I kitted is Oh Nuts and I can’t wait to get it started with the three others in our group. We have used your books and patterns to make many quilts. We would love to have all your door banners to make so each of us scours eBay, Marketplace, other friend’s pattern stashes and yard sales to find ones we don’t have. It has been a challenge for sure. If you ever want the challenge of finding and wanting to sale the door banner patterns give me a call. LOL
Denise – I made myself a note – we had a carpenter who made hangers 27” wide and we made a whole series of door banners – I am happy to look at my master list. Harvey could hang now before Easter
This sounds like a fun activity.
Denise – please tell me which door banners you have patterns for.
Iced tea cures everything, IMO🤣
Happy to hear about the clean scan👏👏👏
I bought that book years ago….Garden Club Quilts! I loved it❤️
Rest. Be Well.
Put the Uber or Lyft app on your phone. Very easy to use and usually cheaper than a taxi. Good to have as a backup plan.
Bad storms move through SW Ohio. Luckily no tornadoes reported but lots of rain, wind and small hail.
Some good news to read this morning. I imagine the relief you felt after that phone call. It looked like you had good weather for the dogs to get in some outdoor time. All the pet pictures are so cute.
It was alot of tension and stress driving home from Mayo so makes sense your shoulders would be sore today. You’ve got some good options from your readers for the next trip.
I’m thankful Brenda is slowly recovering and gave us a detailed explanation of why the collar length to be worn now. We learn so much from each other.
Funny thing Mary is I set up a machine that does a nice buttonhole stitch as I usually use my Bernina straight stitch single hole throat plate for all my sewing.
I don’t like messing around with it but I have another Bernina that I like for machine applique with it’s open toe foot so I plan to work on a couple smaller wall hangings for my doors that are your patterns. I’m kinda excited for your Touch of Spring pattern to arrive here to look at some of my larger prints to use.
Kathy – I think your pattern went in the mail yesterday. I think it’s a very versatile pattern – I’d make it again but I gotta move on
Mary, I’m excited to get the pattern cause you know what we enjoy the most- pulling fabrics to play with what goes with what! It’s so fun visioning how it will look and then we have to add more and take away others. That pattern may end up being so versatile for me to use up some novelty fabrics I have looked at far too long.
Mary ….. WHOO HOOO!!!!! I can’t imagine that drive – I was getting stressed just reading about it. I am glad to hear all is clear, definitely an answer to prayer. I know I’ve said it before, but I wish I lived closer and I’d drive you.
Brenda – sorry to hear your disappointing news. We all just want to heal so much more quickly!!! (boy, that’s a poorly worded sentence!!! 🙃). I agree wholeheartedly with what Brenda said….. we need to allow people to bless us! Trust me, it’s something I have to work at as well. I’ll keep praying for healing!!!!
I don’t even want to look at how many Country Living magazines I have — I’ve loved that magazine for years!!!
Lynette – I think we all feel the same way about Brenda – I wish I could help her.
SO happy your scan is clean! Woo hoo!! 👏🥳🎉
Those daffodils are gorgeous! I recently bought a hyacinth bulb in a little glass vase and its slowly opening. I “treat” myself to one each spring – gives a wonderful scent to the kitchen and brightens things up during a dull time outside.
It’s great Hazel has her own special friend 😁🐶🐾
It never fails each week when I hit the grocery, I see some crazy parking. I say “really????” 🙄
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!
Wonderful news Mary. Take care, be well.
What wonderful news of your clean scan!!! So glad you got to rest today. Driving can be so stressful. Brenda, you look wonderful in your latest picture. You can make it for another 8 weeks and please accept all the help that is offered. People enjoy sharing their love by helping you. It finally stopped raining this afternoon. 5 days of rain and we even had thunder and lightning this week. Very rare for California. We even had snow on the surrounding hills. I’m sure the whole country is ready for spring!
I got my first Country Living in 1983. I loved it! I kept about ten years worth of the magazine for a long time, not subscribing during times of little income but always going back when I could. I eventually got rid of most of them. The magazine changed so much I couldn’t recognize it. I remember the quilts in all the rooms and that is when I decided I would have to learn to quilt in order to decorate like that. I have been quilting since 1985. I made 2 of the American Harvest pattern I purchased from you so probably people make the quilts!
Mary, how wonderful to hear the great results of your scan! Sorry you have pain from all that driving and tension. Your collection of Country Living mags is amazing. I was surprised to see Mama Kitty in the kitchen; does she ever let you pet her? The dogs look like they are enjoying playing outdoors in the grove. These warm temps are crazy, but it is fun for the dogs.
Thank you Brenda for sending a report about your appointment.
Take Care All, 🥰
Jeanie – Mama Kitty is living her best life – she had no idea it could be so comfortable. She has not been outside even once since I brought her to the house. Haha! She has adapted well – and she is not aggressive to any other cat in any way – unlike FluffyBun!!
Oh Mary, thank you for the update on Mama Kitty. I have always had a special interest in her. I remember when she arrived finding a safe place to have her five kittens.
Too bad FluffyBun can’t mellow out. She can be a worry.
Jeanie – we think Mama Kitty is pretty special – how did she adapt to living in the house so easily? It’s uncanny. Always quiet, never causing trouble – just sitting in our presence quietly watching.
For those who come to Rochester Mayo Clinic do a google search “ construction updates Mayo Clinic Rochester MN”. You will see what streets, closed doors and where to park or get valet parking. There is a Mayo Clinic site off of Highway 52 North and 55th Street NW where you can park in the north parking lot and take a free bus shuttle down town to the main clinic. Buses run every 15 minutes they say, but I would allow 45-60 minutes before your appointment time. You will be dropped off right at the door. Ask about pickup location for return to Mayo Clinic NW site. Valet parking is the way to go but you have to pay for it plus, parking. Ask for a free parking pass that can be used at any Mayo Clinic site in Rochester. The NE, SE and NW clinic buildings don’t require payment to park.
All the construction and street closures etc. are hard for us locals but, really hard for out of town people. Sometimes you can ask if a test etc. can be done at another Mayo Clinic site in Rochester where parking and driving there is so much easier.
Hope this helps to relieve some anxiety and provide safe trips!
Judy E. thank you for posting such great Mayo Clinic parking information. I hope Mary reads it today (it’s after midnight here) and saves it.
Judy E – I wrote my answer to you and then deleted it because it was rude –
I was trying to help people who came to Rochester Mayo Clinic with parking and information about all the construction. No way was I trying to be rude with my message. I am sorry that you took it that way!
The clean scan, wonderful news!
After the day you had getting there, you surely do deserve a day of rest. And a day of celebrating the good news! The taxi idea sounds like a good idea to me. Worth every penny, as my mom would say.
Hi Mary,
So pleased you have had good news about your scan! And Brenda, you are looking so much better, Hang in there, you can do this!
And yes, I am still stitching your patterns Mary! But they are nice just to look at too!
I used to love Country Life – when it really was about life in the country and had all those great cozy looking interiors. It went so down hill when it changed owners shortly after the 30th anniversary, that I stopped my subscription. One of those ‘why change a winning formula? instances. And don’t even get me started on Quilt Sampler – that was my favourite magazine, it always sold out, and APQ just stopped it without any warning. i still have all my copies and I still enjoy reading them.
We have been having a very snowy winter here in our part of the Netherlands: another 4 inches yesterday. Good stitching weather!
Fiona – so interesting that you are having a snowy winter – we have no snow but the southern part of the state got 8” yesterday!
Mary, I am so happy to hear your report!! Keep up the good work and it will be good in August too! I’m sorry for the construction problems, perhaps a lot of that will be finished when you go back. Ask them to give you directions for the best place to park for your appointment. I have heard they give good instructions. if you ask.
I had some good news this week also…I had an MRI 3 years ago and was told I had NPH. I had another MRI Tuesday. The report came back no NPH. I have an appointment with a neurologist in May, I guess to let me know what tis one said. I am not able to get in sooner unless there is a cancelation. I need to find out why my walking is so poor. Possible Parkinson’s Disease. I am doing research on that to see if I can slow it down. My brother has that so he is offering advice also. I know each person is different. I will be adding some supplements to what I take now.
We have to remember to trust the Lord to take away our anxiety and help us to listen to what the doctors say. I need to remember this for sure!! I will be praying for you and another good report in August. Thanks for sharing your journey!!
Beryl – what’s NPH? I’m glad you got good news, too – I didn’t realize how much I was worrying about it, I guess.
Mary you are so busy! I hope you did rest up a little today! I loved your garden quilt and see how much quilting has changed. Today we do not primarily do appliqué. I hope to try my hand at this method. I have a couple of your patterns with appliquéing. I had to run a couple errands today so I did not bake nor sew. Quilting has really changed. I had to pick up a prescription today and looked over the magazine section at Hy-Vee. I did not see Country Living there. I loved that magazine so much. The day it arrived in the mail I sure took time to read it. I agree it changed and I did not renew the subscription. I lived the photos and decorating ideas. Marketing or editors should bring that trend back for sure. I am so glad your scan was clear and Brenda is healing well, she just has to try to be patient, this too will pass. For the best for her.
So glad Dr.Robinson called personally with your good report. When I went last September, I picked the day and time he was available. I am now on the one year plan for visits and hope the parking and detour situation is better next year. We usually stay overnight and choose a place within walking distance or shuttle service.
Those cozy living rooms and kitchens are so much more appealing than this era of gray, beige, and greige!
Brenda, your face is looking so much better! Yes, accept all efforts of help. It lifts their spirits too!
Donna – I was so surprised when he was the one who called. He has been on leave for 12 weeks after back surgery but said he was actually seeing patients in the clinic yesterday. He is just the nicest man – asked me about my general health and well being so I told him about my shoulders and he agreed that I choose to treat conservatively.
So glad your scan was clean! And, thank you Brenda for the update—hope the time goes by quickly and that everything heals (thanks for the anatomy lesson, too). I have a friend who broke her femur last October. She still is not cleared to drive, and she only lives with her two cats. Fortunately she has family and friends nearby to help with groceries etc. The doctors say she is healing, it just takes time.
Your clean scan is wonderful news! All of my friends clean from cancer report great anxiety going for their follow up scans.
Ah, the Country Living days! We used to get their show in Atlanta in the fall. Your feature ultra waa here.
I miss that!
I love the animals antics
Kathy – what does “ultra” mean?
Great news about your scan! Brenda is looking much better. She may get a bit of cabin fever but at least it is still winter & won’t be tempted to do wny work outside yet.
Mary, so happy to hear of your scan results! Many prayers were answered on your behalf. I’ll buy the next round of ice teas! 😁 I have a few of the old Country Living magazines and still enjoy them today. I think it is such a comforting look that I’ll never tire of. We were on our 3rd day of warmer weather in the 60s but it’s coming to an end tomorrow. Rain and wind tonight. Get rest and thank you for keeping “our” blog going.
Brenda, so nice to see you looking so much better. As frustrating as it may be, 8 more weeks will go fast in the big picture. Hang in there and continue to heal.
Congratulations on the clean scan! It is wonderful news.I have the February-March issue of Country Living. There is an interesting article called “A Stitch in Time. There are some really nice home renovations in it. I certainly hope Brenda continues to feel better. We had thunder here tonight. Hurry up spring. Have a good day tomorrow.
Such good news about the scan! 1st hurdle down. My theory is your pain today is related the weather system coming in. I have known it was going to snow by the pain in my lower back. I broke my back and stormy weather always gives me fits.
Hubby had an echocardiogram last week to check his bad heart valve, and the Dr said today he has stabilized!! Good news that there will be no valve replacement this year at least.
My granddaughter turned 5 today. This grandma is sad that they are growing up.
☹️😥
Feel better, our friend!
Diana – I saw her pictures – the baby picture is simply delightful!!!
What a blessing to hear such great news. A clear scan is worth celebrating!
So happy to hear your scan was clean! Have loved making your quilts for years, especially the Garden Quilt. It’s on the bed in an extra bedroom. I never get tired of seeing it! A friend and I were working in a quilt shop, and would come in an hour or so early and work on our quilts. It was such a fun time, working together, and seeing what fabrics we chose for each block. Thank you for such a wonderful pattern! I loved Country Living magazine too, until it was sold and changed so much. Cancelled my subscription, because of it. Also, Enjoy reading your blog each day.