For the first time in many years I won’t be able to start a new quilt tomorrow, New Years Day. My injured shoulder can’t put any pressure on the rotary cutter. I can’t believe it. I’ve been piecing the calendar quilt blocks that I had already cut out and if truth be told, I have lots of things cut out and started that should be addressed but that’s not what I had in mind.
Mortie is home – I picked her up before 8 am. I couldn’t wait to get her. This is where she has slept most of the day.
Tonight I looked for her on her pillow but found her inside the donut toy. I held her for over 30 minutes and then she wanted down – found her on the pillow again so I can take a hint.
I had a pretty bad night – cannot sleep in the bed on either side or on my back so came downstairs to a recliner where I might as well start tonight. I tried to call my ortho dr. but couldn’t get thru. I need an MRI so will try to call on Friday.
Last night when I walked the dogs I heard coyotes across the section – I’ve never heard them in the dead of winter before. I’m not afraid of much but that yipping and howling is creepy.
I do appreciate all your good wishes – this too shall pass and I’ll get thru it.
Happy New Year to all of you!
I finished a Lewis and Clark quilt I’ve been saving for years. I took it to a woman in town whom I’ve known almost 15 years. I brought it to her because my machine quilting is done in my basement where it gets too cold. I got the quilt back and gave her a check. When I got home I spread out the quilt only to find the backing fabric had puckers and pleats quilted on it. First and last time I’ll let her touch a quilt of mine. I don’t want to pick out threads and redo quilting. I’ve mulled this over and decided to put on the binding by machine and give the quilt away as a charity quilt. What a disappointment!!I can’t bring myself to discuss issue with quilter as I wouldn’t be very nice.
Got the flu for Christmas, kind of feel like I will live now that New Years is over. Things are looking- up and I truly hope the same is happening for you in the very near future. Wishing everyone the very best for the New Year and may we all stay well! Give Mortie and the rest of the crew a treat for me.
Happy new year! Wishing you the best with your shoulder🙏🙏
Hope you get relief soon, Mary!
Happy new year, hope it’s a wonderful one for everyone.
Hope your shoulder is better soon so you can sleep in your bed, and Mortie is adorable. She’s so cute sleeping on the pillow
Mary, I sent you a message on your gmail account. Just let me know you got it. I don’t have your phone number so I tried the gmail.
Nan – I tried to find you and didnt. Ron texted me about Brenda – I am in shock and so so sad!
Happy New Year everyone. Mary, I’m sorry to hear about your injury and hope you find some relief soon. At 77, I can no longer handle 50 lb. feed bags but fortunately have some help in that department. Sandy, love your autumn leaf quilt. I’ve enjoyed all the Christmas decorating photos and especially the pictures of Mortie. She’s just precious.
Glad to see Mortie back home.
Hope you get your shoulder taken care of soon.
Pain can wear a person down.
Happy New Year to Mary, Rick and all your fur babies, and to all the faithful blog readers. I enjoy reading everone’s comments.
We have had a very quiet relaxing day here. We did go to our church last night as we had a New Year’s Party. We had a chili/pie contest, and then we were able to eat after they were judged. Of course, there were a lot other foods to enjoy. We played some games and then prayed in the New Year. That was a little before 9, and we came home after that and went to bed before 10. It was a fun evening together.
I hope you get your shoulder taken care of. I had rotator cuff surgery 10 years ago this past December. It took me a long time to recover fully, but am good today.
I, too, was wondering if you were going to draw a number for the DD.
Take care of yourself. I also love the picture of Mortie sleeping on the pillow. Such a sweet kitty.😽
About all I can say is “ditto what everyone else has said”. I know shoulder injuries take time to heal. Hope you can get an MRI sooner than later.
Will you be drawing a number for Dirty Dozen, or should we just pick a project and go for it?
Hope you can get some rest today.
Happy new beginnings to you and all your readers.
Tina – I completely forgot! I’ll post the number tomorrow – thanks for the reminder – I’m out of the habit, I guess
Happy New Year to you. Hang in there. All will be fixed and you will be as good as new.
Happy New Year, Mary!!
I am so sorry that you injured your arm. Please take care of yourself. As difficult as it is to accept, we are not as resilient as we once were.
Sending hugs and dog slobbers from Oregon.
Sandi
Happy New Year to you. We had only 3 big booms last night but the dog I am dog sitting for come running into our bedroom and wanted up. I told her that was not going to work so out to the living room we go and share the recliner covered with a quilt . She snuggled in and slept the rest of the night.
Sorry you are in so much discomfort-praying you can get in to get an MRI real soon.
Mortie is so cute and looks comfy resting on the pillow. I am sure she isn’t feeling too well yet but in time she will be herself again,
Mary I hope you can get in touch with your doctor tomorrow and start your healing journey. I’m sorry you can’t get comfortable enough to sleep well; that’s really miserable.
Mortie looks so sweet sleeping on her pillow.
Sandy’s scrappy maple leaf quilt is very beautiful and it’s fun to hear about her weather in NZ.
I might get a small start on a new cross stitch project today, if there’s time. I haven’t done any cross stitch since I started quilting 40 years ago, so it will be like learning it from scratch again. I have a new quilt project selected to start, fabrics washed and ready to go, but I want to do a little more cleaning up after the project I just finished before I start the new one.
I want to wish Mary, her family, and all her readers a very happy and Healthy New Year!
Mary why can’t we just be well so we can do what we need to do. Maybe it’s gods way of telling us to slow down. But then everything else just goes. Can’t win, that’s for sure. Take care and do rest.
Now an update as I haven’t responded for a while. We were in Texas for Christmas with both daughters and their families. 8 of us in all. Time was spent just being together and having family time. Played lots of games, did Top Golf twice. Saw Avitar at a theater that also serves meals right to your seats which are heated and recline and it was $5 dollar Tuesday. Bowling at the same theater and the grandboys played at the arcade. We took the boys to a Trading Card store to pick out what cards they wanted as part of their Christmas present. The temperature was in the 70 and 80s while we were there so the boys could also be outdoors riding their bikes.
Got back home to Iowa on the Sunday the 28th. It rain all the way from KC. Did some wash and then got ready for family dinner that evening. There was 45 of us present. We all left early because it started to snow and blow and the trip home was in white out conditions.
I then spent the following days putting away Christmas decor and putting out the snowman decor. Couple of the rooms got deep cleaning. Always more to do.
Today I made a list of things I wanted to complete and starting back on the tred mill was one of the things on the list. Hope to continue with this throughout the year.
Tomorrow we will meet my daughter from Chicago area to give them the Christmas gifts as they had flown to Texas. They were in Iowa for SIL family Christmas and we said we would meet them for lunch on their way back home.
Do a little fabric house cleaning the rest of the afternoon.
Stay well and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
Mary,
Happy New Year!
We had several inches of snow and terrible wind yesterday, So stayed home instead of going to my cousins house for NYE. Going to get together Friday night instead. By 10 pm the weather had settled and my husband and I went down to the lake where my son had cleared a hockey rink. We didn’t skate with him and his friends but did stand by the fire built in a Solo Stove on the ice. It was so peaceful and beautiful on the lake. Probably will skate later today if the sun comes out!
Both beautiful quilts in today’s post. And Mortie! Her curled up on that pillow is so cute. I think she looks like she’s praying for you in the second picture. I’m sorry to hear you injured your shoulder, Mary. Rest, ice bag and maybe wear a sling to limit your activity and keep your shoulder close to your body. Until you see an orthopedic doc.
I feel your frustration, Sharon, regarding the sinus infection. I have a nephew who is a doctor who I text and request antibiotics for sinus infections or steroids for poison ivy when I need them and he always helps me! In medical school, I arranged him many opportunities to shadow doctors so he could narrow down his focus as a new doctor. Just to keep it fun for him, I offer to send him photos of my nose and snot so he knows I really need it!! But, with 3 small kids at home, he never wants to see my snot!
Now there’s a laugh for you today, Mary! Hope you enjoy the football games and an ice tea too.
Happy New Year to all Mary’s blog friends. 🌻
Ha! Too funny, Sunflower. I don’t really blame your nephew for not wanting to see your snot! And poison ivy is no joke. We have so much around here where we live and I am highly allergic to it. Mary, I’m so sorry to read about your shoulder. I recently lifted 50 lb bags of garden soil – three of them, that were waterlogged – into a wheelbarrow but it had flat tires! I struggled with the first two bags with that wheelbarrow and just lugged the last bag about thirty feet to my car. That was the stupidest thing I’ve done in a long time. My husband was livid with me. Anyway, I was fortunate not to damage anything – but I will never do that again. I’m going to spend the rest of the day warping my loom. And cleaning my sewing area for future use. Hopefully 2026 will be a much better year for all of us! Jan in MA
Happy New Year to all. Mary, take a cue from sweet Mortie & rest. I hope the new year brings health & healing to all of us old broads who love reading your blog & all the comments too!
Happy New Year everyone! Miss Mortie knows to rest and feel better 💐! I hope you get to feeling better too and get your MRI.
We had a symphony starting yesterday afternoon with fireworks and gunshots intermittently. Around midnight there were 2 automatic weapons going off! I have dozed off a few times this morning.
Going to put away the Christmas decorations today and then we’re having homemade chili and guacamole, yum! Our temperatures back in the 60 and 70s this week!
Please rest and maybe some good iced teas?
Sorry for your having to begin a new year in so much pain and discomfort. I would imagine this is also putting your playing for church services and the visits to the nursing home. There are so many oraying for your recovery it should be a SOON occurrence.
Wishing Mortie a speedy recovery and more Mortie cuddles for you ,Mary☺️
So wonderful to be able to see your blog writing again.
Happy New Year, Mary, Rick, and all of the animals on the farm. I really hope you have a better day today with less pain. Jeepers! Not a good way to start at all. And, I hope Mortie feels much better today too.
They shoot off fireworks, guns, and even cannons at midnight around here. I lay in bed and listened to them. Poor chickens, dogs and cats. Such a silly custom.
Love your quilt, Sandy. And the Joy To The World quilt. Happy New Year, Everyone!!
Isn’t there a saying that whatever you do on NY day you will continue to do most of the year? So let that be sewing. I’m not starting anything new today but I am sewing so that feels good enough to me.
We got 5” of white fluffy snow overnight covering everything so it’s quite pretty with the sun out. I thought of Diane in Ohio of her wedding anniversary as it was bleeping across our tv screen last night about the bad snow squalls and poor visibility in the area she was married at 56 years ago.
Mortie looks so comfy being in her warm cozy home. She’s so sweet. When my husband lets the dogs out before bed and hears the coyotes howling in the distance he does not like listening to it. Not much bothers him but that does.
Happy New Year! I hope your shoulder feels better soon. It is always something. We have coyotes around here. My son-in-law trapped some a couple of years ago. He kept the hides. We had a lot of snow that year. The bald eagles that were here ate well that winter. I have mittens made from the hides. I think they would be warm in the Arctic. A Great Horned owl was hooting the other night. I love hearing them. Have a good first day of 2026. Take care.
Happy New Year Mary!
Sorry to read of your shoulder injury and hope you find some relief soon. I had injured my shoulder while recovering from a total knee relacement. I had put stress on my one shoulder from pushing myself up from sitting on my recliner. I was very worried that I had torn something but didn’t want to see another ortho doc if I could avoid if because it was only a couple of weeks into my knee rehab. I realized that I had to build up the height of my seat with a firm boat cushion and a pillow to sit higher up in the chair so I didn’t have to push up so hard to get up in a standing position. I am thankful that helped me and with time the pain diminished and I recovered. I had my first knee replaced 5 years prior and forgot how much upper body strength it takes to get out of a chair, bed or to sit on the toilet. I am sorry you have to go theses things and more.
I’m glad to read are going to call to see your doctor for help. He can help you sort things out. You have been a very strong woman in the past and with time and determination you will be again.
Prayers for healing and patience.
I envy your Mortie because she is so socialized. Last Spring, a female tabby cat appeared on my covered porch meowing a lot. I thought someone dumped her, so I fed her knowing full well what that would result in. She continued to come around each morning for breakfast, but would not let me touch her and she would not come inside. Gradually, she agreed I could pet her, and one very cold evening in November, when I invited her in, she came running. Since then, she sleeps with me at night, but wants out as soon as we get up.
I’ve learned that she was adopted from our Sherwood, AR shelter as a “barn” cat by a family three houses down from mine. As I’m sure you know, cats choose their people. I think my covered deck attracted her because I feed the birds and squirrels. She has been spayed and received initial shots from the shelter, but she needs boosters. As of now, I don’t think I can get her in a carrier, but am hoping that over time she will be more trusting of me. I would say as of now she is half ferral (sp?). I am 79 and walk with a walker, so I don’t move quickly and can’t bend over to catch her. Any suggestions?
Sara,
Thank you for caring for the kitty who needed you. If you have a vet or a town office you can call to see if there is any cat rescue groups in your area who could volunteer to help you get the cat into the carrier. They are trained to get strays so hoping someone can offer time to do the honorable thing and help you. Here there are several groups who have volunteers that help people with catching strays.
Happy New Year! I hit the hay before midnight, but the firecracker celebration started around 6:00 pm in the neighborhood. Although, it was not as raucous as recent years.
Mortie looks so sweet on the pillow. She’s glad to be home and in your care, Mary.
The new year puts us in the mood for something new to create. But, most of my Dirty Dozen are cut projects languishing, as well as half-done projects. For me, your DD idea is good for cleaning up, not only my quilting space, my head space. That I’m looking forward to.
May your answers come sooner, rather than later, Mary.
Barbara, A friend of mine tried cutting with her left hand but she forgot to move the blade to the other side of the cutter – that didn’t work. Just a reminder and good luck.
Angie from Baltimore, You’re a hoot. It just goes to show you have to pick your own celebrations.
Sandy in New Zealand, Your quilt is marvelous, would you please share the name?
It looks like we are starting 2026 with some upsets. It will get better.
As for my new years’ resolution of creating a new quilt each month, I’m cheating already because I am determined to complete my current quilt in January. Normally, I love sewing the entire top and then set it aside.
Happy New Year everyone.
Happy New Year Mary. Sure hope this new injury will heal quickly and definitely without surgery. It shows us to appreciate good health as it can change in the blink of an eye! Feel better soon. Take a clue from Mortie….rest and get sleep. Just love the pictures of her.
Bobby in Md.
I just love Mortie and am so glad you found each other. Coyotes can be dangerous for outside cats and I agree their yelping gives me the chills.
Many wishes for your healing. You have gone through so much in 2025
.
Happy new year Mary. Praying you will soon be able to cut, sew, and lift those bales just like you have always done. Glad Mortie is home. I love that little cat. I have four yellow cats, one is about her size. Also have one black cat, one gray, and one calico. Love them all. Take care of yourself.
Gayle – I, too, just love my cats and if people don’t like them, don’t bother to come to my house.
Mary, I am lifting you in prayer for a complete recovery and also your doctors and caregivers, for them to have divine wisdom and discernment as they help you recover and heal. I’m remembering your advice to all of us some years ago, Be still. It’s hard though, isn’t it?! God bless you!
Charlotte – how could I have forgotten Psalm 46:10 – Be Still
Happy New Year!
Praying for some relief and a MRI ASAP! For you Mary.
Oh, this is sad. I hope you feel better, soon. Coyotes nearby. Not good.
I watched my Ohio State Buckeyes get beat last night. So, was a sad New Years Eve.
Good to see Mortie on her pillow.
Best wishes for a happier New Year.
So sorry for your injury 😢praying you can get into thr ortho very soon, get the needed MRI, and for complete healing!
Love the Mortie photos – so glad she’s home and snuggling in!
Happy New Year to all!🎉
Oh, this is sad. I hope you feel better, soon. Coyotes nearby. Not good.
I watched my Ohio State Buckeyes get beat last night. So, was a sad New Years Eve.
Good to see Mortie on her pillow.
Best wishes for a happier New Year.
Sending prayers for speedy recovery. Take it slow and easy, I know it’s hard.
Gentle hugs
Linda
Happy New Year to everyone!
To Mary and all the readers who had rough ends to 2025…may you find healing and solutions and have a blessed year.
Happy New Year!!! Feel better fast!
I feel your pain on not being able to use the rotary cutter. Shoulders are a tough recovery. I’m 2 months out from right shoulder replacement surgery. Asked surgeon on Tuesday if I could rotary cut. He said no. I figure I’ll use my Stripology ruler and cut left-handed. It will be slow but better than the nothing I’ve been doing the last 2 months.
Barbara, A friend of mine tried that but she forgot to move the blade to the other side of the cutter – that didn’t work. Just a reminder and good luck.
I’m so sorry about your shoulder Mary. Maybe we can start our new quilts when you have recovered and you are ready. Goodness knows I have plenty of works in progress to keep me busy. So happy Mortie is home. She is just the cutest little thing! Take care. I hope you get to see the doctor soon.
Happy new year Mary, hope you get in to the Doc fast, with the holidays and lots of days with no appointments. Take it easy. Rest heals, just look at Mortie. Ok, I must be mistaken, I thought most orange cats were male. But obviously not?
Today I’ll be working on a quilt that I started last week, hope to finish up the top today so that I can get it quilted before going on retreat next week with friends. I’ve been looking forward to retreat since last year. My favorite time of the year.
Lori – I’ve read that female orange cats are somewhat rare as most orange cats ARE males.
And my son just read that it is something new that there seems to be more orange female cats that ever before. They don’t know why.
Happy New Year to everyone.
The photos of Mortie make my heart flutter. She is so precious. So sorry you are having the injury problems. I too hope it will work it self out and you will not need any surgery. The leaf quilt is beautiful. The coyote story made me think of a story on the news last night here in Atlanta. In a beautiful neighborhood two different men were attacked by a rabid coyote, in the front yards. In one case the animal was after his little dog. He was trying to protect his dog (and did) and was bitten in several places. I have heard there are many everywhere. A friend walks the nature path here every day with her little dog. I think she carries pepper spray. I hope this does not become a bigger problem. I am hoping for better days for you soon.
Brenda – I was so afraid you’d say the coyote got the little dog! My 6’ fence keeps us relatively safe and there are many hog confinements nearby with dead hogs outside – the coyotes feast!
I hope you get relief from your pain soon. I know how terrible it is to not be able to sleep because of pain. Ice and a heating pad will hopefully get you some relief until you can get a MRI.
Prayed for you this morning, God would give you healing, strength , and give you rest to heal. All the animals would be patient.
Happy New Year! Hope each day you feel less pain and back to doing what you love!
I’m so sorry for your pain. I’ve had rotator surgery and it was the best. Takes a lot of follow up and therapy. Mine resulted from having to pull my belated husband to his feet after many falls. Take it easy and use ice! Let it settle down and maybe you won’t need surgery.
So glad sweet Mortie is home in your care.
Prayers for both of you for healing.
Ann – yes, I am determined to watch everything I do so it doesn’t get worse.
Happy New Year Mary. Looking forward to sharing your daily news. I’ve seen some amazing pictures everyone has shared. So much talent in this group.
Happy New Year to you, Rick and all your furry friends both inside and out. So happy to see Mortie back home again. She’ll be her old self again in a couple of days.
I won’t start a new project today in deference to you not being able to start one. I know exactly what you are going through. I couldn’t use a rotary cutter before my shoulder surgery and it was almost six months of PT after my surgery before I was cleared to use my rotary cutter. Sleep is still a problem for me. Sleeping on my back seems to work the best even though I’m a side sleeper. Hang in there Mary – better days are ahead.
Gloria – that’s sweet of you – I have many things just waiting to be sewn so I won’t be idle. I try to sleep on my back but my lower back screams with pain and I’m wondering if my lifting didn’t injure something there, too. Happy New Year to you and Gaylen, Caitlin and all!
Mary I’m just so sorry that you are experiencing such trials. Almost makes me sick. I am happy to hear that you will commit to an MRI. Moving forward is the only b way. The new years quilt is a hard hit but God willing there will be another new year.
The picture of Mortie melts my heart. HOW can people look at them as animals? When you get to heaven and are surrounded by all those furry people you have loved you will be the envy of this who considered them merely animals.
Prayers for a recovery sooner rather than later.
Jean – I love the visual of all my pets in Heaven coming to greet me!!!
Happy New Year everyone! Mary, such a comfort to have Mortie home. I spent months sleeping in a recliner—really the only sleep I could get while waiting for and recovering from shoulder replacement. Sharon, I have had that problem at the doctor. Sigh. Highly recommend Vick’s brand sinus rinse. It is gentle, just saline, so you can use it multiple times a day—really helps with congestion.
Happy New Year, Mary! We made it past midnight… yay! I’ve already started on my New Year’s project. Someone’s Christmas decorating showed a picture of a log cabin quilt in red, green & white (sorry, I don’t know who to credit for the idea) inspired me to try something similar … and since I have lots of Christmas fabric I’d like to use up, I’ve started cutting strips. I’ll play with it for awhile, then put it away until later this year when I’m tired of it for now. I’m so glad to see sweet Mortie home so you can comfort each other!
Happy New Year. My son and daughter in law took me out for Dim Sum yesterday and great to spend time with them I would have preferred Cracker Barrel. But the company was great. Didn’t stay up for the ball drop but figured it still fell. The idea of standing for hours and no chance to move or sit or use a bathroom isn’t my idea of celebration of course at 76 leaving my chair is a celebration. Flush toilets are a celebration. I am good with my cat, snacks, and warm throw and tv is my celebration
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Happy New Year Mary. It’s so good to see Mortie home sleeping on her pillow. Hopefully she will be herself in a couple of days. Mary, we are praying for you and your shoulders, discomfort, healing and sleep. I’m happy you have a new iPad and the blog is up and running again. Dirty dozen project for January is picked out and a new project ready to cut out. You are so encouraging along with everyone who follows along here. Beautiful scrappy leaves quilt Sandy! And beautiful appliqué Christmas quilt! Happy New Year to everyone!
Hi Mary, sleep well tonight, take some painkillers! Thank you for showing my quilt, autumn leaf 🍂, made for one of my great nieces in Australia, one girl and one boy to go!Grey day,windy, what a way to start the new year! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Healing wishes to you in the new year
Glad that Mortie is home where she belongs to help you heal
Healthy New Year to you and yours
Dorothy in W WA
Happy New Year to you and Rick! It’s almost 2026 so lots of fireworks going off in the neighborhood and scaring my cats.
So sorry about your shoulder. I hope you get in to be seen and don’t have to wait too long for a MRi. Take care Mary.
CDI glad Mortie is home.
I have the crud so I’ve been home for a week trying to get over it. It’s a sinus infection and chest congestion with a cough. I went to the clinic but the young doctor (who was 30 minutes late, I might add) said I have a virus. I told him no, I have a sinus infection. He said to get rest and hydrate and to come back if it gets worse. I told him that’s why I was there because it’s worse. I got on my coat and walked out of the exam room telling him “thanks for nothing”. I’m 77 years old I know when I have a sinus infection! Good grief.
Have a nice New Years Day.
Take care everyone.
Oh, Sharon, I!m sorry you’re not feeling well, but you made me laugh about your doctor’s visit … I’d have the same reaction! Too funny! I guess I just have no patience anymore!
What a way to start the new year! But look at it this way- it can only get better!
Love little Mortie..she’s so cute on the pillow.
And Happy New Year to you, Mary……and Mortie!!!!! Such precious pictures of her sleeping on the pillow. She is such a precious cat. I’m glad she’s home again. I will keep you in my prayers Mary. I’m so sorry for your discomfort. Bummer!!!!!!