Hallelujah! After 2-1/2 years of delays due to other health complications, Rick finally has a new hip. I talked to him late this afternoon and even though he was still pretty loopy, he said the pain is gone! I am breathing a huge sigh of relief – I was so afraid something would happen to once again cancel the surgery.
I dropped him off at the hospital entrance this morning at 8:15 and the greeter came with a wheelchair. I kissed him good luck and came home to do the chores. He knows I couldn’t sit there for hours and when I had my knees done we handled it the same way. Neither one of us needs to be coddled. Ha!
The blog about nothing is back! July 1 is right around the corner and you know what that means – the Dirty Dozen is back, too! I’ve been cleaning, sorting and rearranging in the quilt shop – I have gathered all the UFOs that I came across and sadly I think it’s more than 30! This year I’m not sure I’m going to number mine – depending on how busy my month is I will choose from the pile. If it’s going to be a real busy month I’ll look for a smaller project to finish.
The second option will be color and/or design. Along with colors I was thinking I’d include stripes, appliqué, plaid, pastels, log cabin and just squares. Any time I have a grouping of fabrics that I just love I always consider squares and then I think I’m taking the easy route. Remember what Mary Ellen Hopkins always said however – Never underestimate the power of a square! I’ve also thought about giving you a commonly known quilt block and asking you to be your own designer. This could be a fun year! I hope you’ll join in!
Number your UFOs 1-12 and on the first of each month I’ll post a number. Your goal is to finish that project before the end of the month. Many of you have played this game before – let’s play again!
Pet Parade and Reader Quilts
The crops are growing like crazy and I can hardly see the rows in Tim’s bean field across the road.
Thank you for your love and support – I am overwhelmed by it all and I so appreciate your writing a comment or emailing me.
Thanks for the good news !! Prayers have been coming your way !
bice getting hip update. been there done that with hsb. hip. keeping the therapy arranged was the biggest challenge.
How are the animals with one of you absent ?? ours were quite mopey.
wondering if one of the creations was a kwanda. just about the only thing i have been seeing with the beautiful larger handstitching.
Amen to Ricks surgery over and he will walk much better now. Such a relief.
Love love love all the pictures. This post made my day complete now so I’m off to bed with pleasant thoughts of what will Mary post this weekend in our own happy land of “ nothing going on”. Heck there’s always something you engage us in and we love it.
I’m so happy for you husband’s successful surgery .
My husbands name was Rick also.
Hope Rick`s recovery goes well. Love all the pictures today. The” very short story” was really funny
Ha ha ha! Loved the joke. So glad to hear of Rick’s surgery. My hubby just dropped me off at the door of the hospital also when I had my shoulder replaced during covid. A friend and I went to the Minnesota quilt show last weekend in St. Cloud. The art work was incredible. I took several photos to share with you, but just haven’t had time. I’m actually in Iowa this weekend for my husband’s class reunion. It’s so good to see all the beautiful crops. Blessings, MN/Jo
MN/Jo – oh, I can’t wait to see some pictures! So how’s your shoulder? Was the replacement recent?
So happy to hear Rick is doing well! Praying for his speedy recovery!
Loved the pictures of critters, quilts and gardens.
The short story was funny 😁👍
Bonnie in Oregon
I got my new hip 1 1/2 years ago. Glad Rick’s is finally done 🙂
I love your blog “about nothing”
After I read about your Bullseye quilt steal, I went out and bought three of your books, including Aunt Amy. I am sorry about the misappropriation of your work.
On a lighter note, the very short story had me in stitches!
Mary- I’m so glad your hubby was able to get a new hip. I got mine in 2015 at the age of 54! Pain was gone immediately. Recovery was pretty easy (compared to knee replacements!
We have some kittens living in our street drains in our neighborhood. Would love to be able to trap and rehome. I enjoy all your animal news!
Patty – oh, wish you could trap those kitties, too! Yes, we’ve also heard hips are much easier than knees and Rick already said the pain is gone. Unbelievable!!
On my way to bed, but had to check on you and Rick. I am happy Rick’s surgery went well. They say hip is easier than knees? I still have all original parts so can’t comment on that! Today’s quilts are awesome and of course, seeing the 4 legged kids is a joy:) The blog is always a bright spot in my day/night. I hope you can rest up a bit and I hope Rick’s PT goes well.
Hugs to you all.
DIane
PS Ernie Jo was an awesome guy.
Diane – yea, Ernie was quite the cat! Good Night!
Mary, glad Rick’s surgery went well. Hope he follows all the instructions after. We know how men are. My husband went thru the same surgery a few years ago.
Love all the pictures and hope the blog continues. I am sure it is a challenge at times. So appreciate all your work.
Hope to have more quilt finishes starting in July. Will also have another dog picture. New rescue. All 12 pounds of her.
Thanks
Lynn – ?12 pounds – little dog rescue. Can’t wait to see her.
Prayers for quick healing for Rick.
I cut pieces for a mystery quilt today.
This afternoon a garden walk with the Garden Club here and the woman is a Hosta Queen. Her gardens are not to be believed they were just so beautiful!!!
I have a freshly mown lawn tonight😀
Glad to hear Ricks surgery when well, hope for a speedy recovery. I hope to do the dirty dozen, we’ll see. Love this blog about nothing
How do you get so much done with all the entertainment provided by the furry friends?
Rick will be so happy with his new freedom and mobility. You both can celebrate with beer and pizza.
Lovely, lovely quilt show today, thanks to all.
Happy that Rick is doing well. Love all the photos of the animals and quilts. I too always look forward to hearing from you and love that you can keep us informed and entertained. I wish you both good health and abundant energy to lead your amazing life. Thanks for sharing with all of us who admire you.
I am very excited to do Dirty Dozen again! I have done it multiple times and am always surprised there could be anything else to finish, but it seems to keep me on-track and productive. And I LOVE seeing what everyone else is working on. There are so many very creative and talented folks in this group!!!
So glad to hear Rick is pain-free!!! That was a long process for you both. I hope the recovery and healing goes well!
Thankful Rick has finally had his surgery & is doing well! Make sure he goes to physical therapy faithfully! It’s important to full recovery.
Love the joke! Lol!
All the photos are so enjoyable, especially the dogs! 😉🐾
Woohoo for Rick’s successful surgery.
Praying for a complete and speedy recovery for Rick.
Here’s to Rick’s rapid and great recovery.
Regarding the dog pictures: Some days are 4 heads, others are 3 butts! But there was still one head – that head is the one to concentrate on those days!
So glad Rick is doing well.
I’m like you, I don’t like a lot of people sitting around coddling me either! Is that the farmer in us?
The ‘Be Still’ quilt looks like your pattern. Did you offer it for sale? If so, it’s obvious I missed it. I know it’s frustrating to tell all of us the same thing over and over. However, as life gets in the way, we miss one, two, or more of your blog posts and then we begin asking silly questions. So, please accept my apology if you’ve offered this quilt pattern before. ‘Be Still’ were my ‘words’ for last year. This year I choose ‘Presence’. Having these words provides a focus and they are always a work in progress.
I love the big stitch quilting on one of the reader’s quilts. My other favorite picture is Finn driving.
Enjoy your weekend. It’s a hot one in southern Iowa.
Brenda – yes, the Be Still pattern is ours and I can send it to for $5.00 and a SASE. Believe me I know about missing things. Rick will tell me something about last year and honestly I don’t even remember it! Guess it’s to be expected but I hate it.
So tickled that Rick is pain free! This is great news!!
Hope Rick has good recovery. Thanks for the quilts and animal pictures. WE mowed our lawn 3 1/2 weeks ago and no rain till yesterday. Rain 1 1/2 inch so far , we will take all we can get. Going to a friends birthday tomorrow. Made some wool primitive pillows for her gift. Carolyn b Shenandoah Valley va
Glad to hear all went well with Rick’s surgery. Will continue to pray healing goes well.
Best news of my day. Rick has a new hip!! Wishing him a speedy recovery. He will be walking the wilderness trail before you know it. Yah!!
Love today’s Pet Parade And the cool quilts.
I hope to finish my purple by the end of the month. Guess what! It has lots of squares. HaHa
I like your new ideas for us to try. Should be a fun year.
So glad surgery went well!
Great news about hip. Now if there’s pain, it’s because of healing! They mowed and baled here. We usually get about 40 bales with the first cutting, there was only 14 bales it is so dry. I was standing on my porch wondering if he’d already moved bales and I missed it. The mown hay was so sparse. Maybe some rain on Saturday. Be safe.
Dee – our first cutting was very sparse, too – just too dry. 90% of my garden didn’t come up!
Thanks so much, Mary, for sending an update on Rick’s surgery. I was so grateful surgery went well and the pain is gone.
The animal pictures were especially enjoyable; Finn driving Ivy was hilarious, and I always love seeing Three. I loved the joke.
We are out in our camper for six weeks, currently in the Nebraska panhandle. I am making a baby quilt, and I prefer working at the picnic table if it is not too windy.
Good luck to you and Rick as he recovers. 🥰
Hi Mary, such good news about Rick! What a relief for both of you, best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.
I have my UFO’s ready and waiting, so yes, let’s play!
I have been sewing drapes for our dining room with a matching cafe curtain for the kitchen, very pleased with how they have turned out. I have some drape fabric left, so think I will make a quick matching table runner and two placemats, by pulling scraps in matching colours from my stash. What a great hobby we all share! We have finally had some rain after seven weeks – the longest period without rain here since records began (in 1642!). The corn has gone bonkers: it was just waiting for some moisture: I think it grew about 6 inches overnight. There is more unseasonably hot weather on the way but all the trees and plants are looking very relieved to have had some real water and to have had some moisture in the air: we about an inch and a half of rain.
We took an early walk (before the rain really started) to visit the wild red squirrels who live in the wood/ garden gone wild around the ruined castle and saw two, so that was fun, as often we look and look and don’t spot any, as they are small and very shy.
Have a great day everybody.
Another perfect start to my day….5AM, coffee, easy chair and this post from the “Blog About Nothing”. Love the Pet Parade! Hope Rick has a speedy recovery. You’re responsible for my morning smile once again!
Sharon – haha! Thank you!
Glad Rick has a new hip, hoping for a speedy recovery!
Loved the thought of the day!!! Looking forward to joining in on the first.
Such great news regarding Rick’s surgery; I know that you’re both glad that this is now behind you, wishing him speedy healing in the coming days. Sending heartfelt sympathy on Ernie’s passing, he was a beautiful cat. Hugs ~🤗
Hope Ricks recovery goes well and quick! Ready for DD do the UFOs nit finished from tge last one.
I love reading your blog and I I love the animals. You appeal so much to me so I live by you on the farm. I wish you still had the shop so I could visit you there and shop on the farm. My husband, though he deceased on 1/19/2023, was a farm boy. He grew up on a farm until he went into service right away from high school.
My dog, Molly, was in the Gazette you published for many years ago. She was a Shitzu and I miss her terribly. We have a cat because he is indoors all the time and I don’t have to walk him.
Judy – I’m so sorry you lost your husband so recently. Life must be very different for you – I’m glad you have your cat.
Wishing Rick a speedy recovery. Short story was 😄. Looking forward to the new dirty dozen. Thanks to you I have finished many UFO’s. Pet parade is fun too. Corn is doing great near us, beans not so good.
,
Nancy TD – Rick just mentioned that some of the bean fields are looking pretty sad. We need rain.
Mary, I so enjoy this blog! When I see it in my emails I grab a cup of coffee, put my feet up and read and laugh. Sometimes cry. We, who follow you, love the blog about nothing because it is a blog about life on the farm, life as a quilter, life of the “experienced” woman, life of an animal love and advocate… The list goes on and on. It’s a blog about everything.
So happy to hear Rick’s surgery finally happened and is already very successful. Prayers for total pain free recovery.
Looking forward to getting more UFO’s finished with the DD challenge. Again, thanks for all you do.
Love your pictures of the farm and animals. The enclosed porch must be such an enjoyable place for you and the dogs.
So glad surgery went well. Many continued prayers for quick, uneventful healing.
NOW – I need to know about the pattern for Still. Hopefully she’ll share the pattern name. I hang small quilts on my mom’s bedroom here. Just like at the nursing home, but nicer.
Another scorcher today, but chance of rain tomorrow and 79 on Sunday!
Thank you, Mary. We appreciate all you do, and we love your thoughts on everything!
Diana – Be Still is a Country Threads pattern which I can mail to you for $5.00 and a SASE. I’ll see if I can find the original – I should make one in new fabrics!
Glad to hear Rick’s hip surgery is over with. The first week will be the most difficult, but each day gets easier as he regains his strength back. I know from experience, my hip surgery was just recent, the end of April. My oldest daughter recommended physical therapy, and I am glad she did because then I realized how weak the muscles were on the new hip side. I have 15 minutes of the TENS unit before the exercises to wake up the muscles and warm them to make the therapy better. I have two sessions left and can feel with each session I am stronger and my balance is better. Good luck with the healing process, it is well worth it to a better life.
Yea for Rick! And you!
Wonderful news about Rick. Praying for a speedy recovery. He will be dancing a jig soon. Erie is coming home to be with you. The pictures are great today. I love the big stitch quilting on the one piece. I so want to try doing that. Everyone have a great day.
Such a relief for you and Rick to have that surgery behind you. All of the pictures in this post are delightful!
Such good news! Hope recovery goes well!
I’m sorry your garden didn’t come up well. Jays is looking really good. He diligently waters it and then last weekend we got a 1/2 inch of rain and that really perked it up! But with all the heat and wind it still just seems to sit there. The broccoli won’t head in the heat. His melons are blooming…they love heat. Our family in Michigan are also very dry. They have a pond on their acreage and they water their garden with that. Does make a difference!
My daughter fell in love with a GE Designs quilt and so the fabric is in the way….I’ll keep you posted!
Hope Rick can come home soon!
Love all the animals!
Great news that Rick’s surgery went well. Now for a speedy recovery.
Still very dry here. Seems like each week’s predicted rain seems to fizzle out before it reaches us. Garden is at a standstill. Sounds like , from the blog comments, that our area isn’t the only place that needs rain.
I’ve got more than a few quilt projects that need a kickstart so, may have to join in the Dirty Dozen this time around.
Happy to hear Rick’s surgery went well. Praying for a quick recovery. I love the “short story”. So glad you seem to be in a better frame of mind. Have a blessed day Mary.
I’m so happy Rick’s hip replacement is complete! Here’s hoping for a fast recovery.
I’m happy that Rick’s hip surgery is finally accomplished. Best wishes for his recovery. Thanks for sharing all the pet photos.
So glad everything with Rick was successful! Now you can relax on that front!!
I am going to try your “dozen” on my cross stitch projects to see if that will energize me
to do all my starts.
Thanks for the funny words. . .we are experiencing days on end with rain (which we need)
but isn’t fun.
Have a good day!!!
Cathie – where do you live? Most people around us need rain badly. It’s either feast or famine!
So happy that Rick was able to have his hip surgery, here’s to a speedy recovery!!’
What a beautiful picture of Ernie! All pets have their own unique personalities! I think back to all the dogs I’ve owned over the past 50 yrs & all were very special! I told a friend who had lost her golden at 14 yrs that she needed to adopt another dog. Life is just better with a pet. She & her husband just adopted a 6 yr old pup who’s owner is in a nursing home. She’s happy she listened to me! My friend & I will be dog setting for her while they take a 2 wk vacation! Her dog & mine get along very well & look like brothers!
So glad Rick’s surgery went well! It sure was a long time to have to wait! Prayers were answered!! We are finally getting a bit of rain & my patio tomatoes are loving it! They’re loaded with tiny tomatoes! Guess I’ll be freezing juice!
Alice – you are so right! The way to get past the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet is to adopt another one! Most people say they’re not ready but they really are because they’re dog people!
Guilty as charged. I am a dog people! 🙂 8 days after losing Bentley we brought home Beamer. Seemed too soon at the time, but he helped us both heal.
And, who is the owner of that good looking golden retriever? LOL
Thanks for sharing his photos.
Beamer’s Mom – he is a handsome fellow!
Congrats to Rick on the new hip. I have two new hips in the last 3 1/2 years and they are great! Hardest part of recovery is not bending over to put socks on for a few weeks…Pain around the incision, but that’s about it. Glad to have the blog back, Mary.
Mary – Good news about Rick’s hip surgery! Hope the recovery and physical therapy go smoothly and you get the rest you need as well.
Looking forward to Dirty Dozen in July. Haven’t done it before so it’ll be interesting to see how much I get done! I just hope my sewing machine cooperates! It’s coming home today after a week in the shop. This is the 2nd issue with it in two months. Hmmm … Maybe the operator needs a check-up. 😂
I loved all the photos today.
Thank you for sharing.
Take care 🤗
Wonderful news that Rick’s surgery went so well. Glad he is having no pain. Good luck to him and hopefully he will have a speedy recovery. So sad he had to wait so long for this surgery.
Loved all the pictures of doggies and quilts. Also, especially love the “short story”! That is so true.
Have a great day and good luck in sewing your UFO’s-something I need to get busy on.
I’m glad Rick’s surgery went well, now for a speedy recovery. I’m surprised you were allowed to leave, any time DH has had to be under anesthetic, I’ve been required to stay. Maybe the difference is that his work was outpatient things like shoulder repair?
I’m considering if I should join your Dirty Dozen this year. While I don’t have a dozen unfinished quilts/needlework projects, I could substitute things like get the treadles fixed and running, organize the stashes, or add those shelves to the pantry and get that organized and cleaned out.
JustGail – yes, the game can be any twelve things on your list! Cleaning closets, updating picture albums, defrosting the freezer, washing china – anything! Because my main focus is quilting, that’s how I approach the game but please join in any way you choose.
So glad to hear that Rick finally got his surgery and that it went well. I know both of you have been on quite the long journey to get to this point. I’m glad you didn’t have to sit in the hospital waiting during surgery. Chores must be done and animals cared for and sitting in a hospital is no fun when you know what’s waiting at home.
Speedy recovery to him!
Love the dog pictures and the quilts. And I know how you feel in missing Ernie. I’m sure you look around for him in all his usual places before you remember he’s gone on.
The joke made me laugh. My husband has selective hearing and selective remembering.
Our weather is hot and humid. We’ve had pop up rains the past few days which cools it off to a point and then the humidity hits. Heat indexes have been in the 110’s. And then suddenly we’ll hit the no rain part of summer and get just the 100 degree heat.
Susan – we hear about your heat on the news and cannot imagine how that must feel!! Very hot!
Mary,
Good to hear hip surgery is over!
Thanks for the great joke! Great way to start my morning!
Mary I laughed out loud at the short story! That absolutely made my day. You’re the best for sharing. Hope Rick is doing well.
Loved all the pictures and everyone’s comments today. Will have to get busy and organize all my UFO’s and then try to get them done over the next year. Was glad to hear Rick’s surgery was successful and hope for a speedy and uneventful recovery. It will be in the high 80’s to middle 90’s here in NE Oregon for the next few weeks and maybe only a tiny chance of rain on occasion. The wheat fields are ripening and are so pretty to see rippling in the breeze. Loved the short story today!
Thanks for your blog and all I learn from you. I will number my UFOs and do it twice so I get 24 projects done. I will feel as proud.
Happy 4th of July soon.
Hi Mary – I’m so glad your hubby finally had his hip surgery. I hope the healing goes smoothly.
I have participated in the DD for 3-4 years now, I think. I often simply list a piece of fabric I want to use for my numbered DD’s. The first year, I followed the number you chose. But the next year, and each subsequent year since, I have gone with what you described. Based on how busy my month is going to be, I pick the project that best fits my anticipated time parameters. It has worked well for me. I think you will find it allows the flexibility life needs, too.
I am glad Rick’s surgery went well. PT is key to the recovery process. He should find it easy to do most of the PT and may want to overdo it. Remind him patience is key. Better to heal well than put oneself back a few steps by trying to do too much.
Also, take care of yourself.
Vicki – yes, I think you have been the most successful “Dirty Dozener”! Ha! You’re always on the ball sending me a photo – just think how much you’ve finished since we started this! Well done, Vicki!
I consider myself an organized person, but life fills my moments. By participating in the DD, I make myself meet my commitment. I so appreciate the nudge your DD has given me. And you are always understanding when I miss a month and then submit two projects the next month.
OMG So glad Rick got a new hip!! He will be out and about soon. Tell him hi from me and to be a good patient! you two are both tough for sure! Take care Etherington’s!
Glad Rick finally got his new hip! My husband is still at west campus but hopefully coming home next week. He has made alot of progress but will still need some out patient therapy. Your life can change in a minute!!
Diane – oh my! I didn’t expect you to say he was still at west campus! I hope he gets home very soon.
Good news that the hip surgery is over. Prayers that healing will be smooth and complete.
Love reading your blog. Although I’ve lived in MN for 50+ years, Iowa is the home of my heart!
Diane – yup, it could have been in the Goat Gazette! It’s typical of those type of jokes I like! Haha! Sort of poking fun at the husbands – but true!