Finally a porch day and a day to work outside – about 80 and very humid. Becky and I went to the last Thursday Night On Main in Clear Lake – the band was good, the beer was cold and it was a beautiful evening.
Here are a few doggies I saw tonight:
We saw twice this many, I’m sure. Keeper would love this!!
The pattern How To Quilt will be available for just one more week. My copy machine gave up the ghost and now I’ll have to either buy another one or drive to town to make copies. No good choice.
I didn’t start my new project yet but his is what it’s going to be:
I just need to buy the background fabric and then I can start. In the meantime I love working with my leftovers such as all these 4 patches.
And now I feel a rant coming on. When my tree trimmers were here the other day, I had them push a downed tree up by the highway into the edge of my grove. The tree went down months ago and the state stopped and trimmed off the ends that landed on the shoulder. I PAID my guys to push the tree out of the way only to have the state come by the very next day and pull it out and cut it up and haul it away. The key thought here is – I PAID TO HAVE IT MOVED OUT OF THE WAY!!! And THEN they showed up and removed it.
And for those of you who say my house looks clean and put together, here is the reason why: JESSICA!
Oh, I’m so much happier since I found Jessica.
I’m hoping tomorrow is a mowing day – we had an inch of rain last night so today was out.
Not much happening around here. The blog about nothing is living up to its name.
Got more wonderful cards today – one of these days I’m going to sort and photograph.
So pleased that you have someone to help around the house – well deserved!
Always fun to pet new pups, isn’t it? I’m going on vacation soon, and it always makes me go through canine withdrawal.
The Main Street gathering looks like fun. I admit I get a bit nervous with a bunch of dogs around especially big dogs. I was bitten by a German shepherd and lunged at by another shepherd twice and a Great Dane went into protection mode when I talked to his owner. I do like dogs though as long as I can approach them. I love my granddogs and other dogs I’m familiar with. I grew up with beagles and they were fun dogs.
We had the trees trimmed at the Iowa house and have a broken limb high up in one of the Texas trees. It’s so expensive but worth paying the experts instead of trying to do it yourself when the trees are large.
We’re headed home from Iowa tomorrow. We’ve slept on air mattresses in the house for several nights. Next time we come it will be for furniture delivery! Yay!
I love your new project of the Dog Park pattern. I have made several Elizabeth Hartman patterns. They are lots of pieces but are organized so well. Just step by step and then you have a masterpiece. I made one of the space cats quilts for my new grandson last year. I’ve got the armadillo and the weiner dog patterns and really want to make both. One day …
I have a Jessica. Her name is Maria and her friend Diana helps out. I go sew upstairs while they clean downstairs. I needed help when my back went out and have kept her ever since. It is the best gift to myself!
Take care everyone. It seems there is a lot going on this summer with different life challenges. Thanks for sharing and I hope you know how many people read and care.
Susan – I have witnessed a few dog fights and I was terrified! Rick decided it wasn’t worth the risk to try to cut the limb himself – we needed a professional who was insured. Dog Park will happen – I have to decide on background color. Gotta finish my cats first. You gotta be tough to sleep on air mattresses more than one night!!!! Yes, I will keep Jessica – a clean house is a gift!
That dog quilt looks ambiguous! I know you’re talented so it will be good for you.
It’s nice you and Becky can enjoy Thursday’s on Main!! Fun to see the dogs. My dog would love it like Keeper would.
I’m surprised the State would move your tree. If you Wanted help they probably wouldn’t come. I do hate to see trees
butchered by the power companies. Our lines here by me are underground which I think is a blessing.
Enjoy that basketball this weekend.
Carolyn – you’re right, if I had asked for help, they would have ignored me. The county butchered the trees along my gravel road – farmers had complained that the overhanging branches were scratching their huge combines. So instead of just trimming those big overhanging branches, they cut the trees down!!!!
Carolyn – about the dog quilt – I have a cat quilt with many small pieces
that is similar so I guess I’d better finish that one first. I did “shop” for fabric today and think a small print will be easier to work with than solid for the background.
Hi, Mary!
I’m in love with all the evidence that your life right now has become so much more enjoyable. I can’t wait to see what you do with the dog quilt – it’s clear already that it’s going to be a favorite. Re the dead copier dilemma: don’t fret, just go ahead and buy a new copier now while back-to-school sales are going on. You probably can’t imagine at this point how many times you’re going to want a hard copy of something medical as your Mayo adventure progresses. Even something as “simple” as a schedule for the various meds you’ll have to take post-surgery can benefit from a hard copy to check off each time you’ve swallowed a pill. Post-anesthesia memory for such things just isn’t reliable, I learned, and over/under dosing meds causes problems you won’t want to deal with.
Keep marching ahead with your nothing – it’s always a breath of fresh air when it reaches Northern Virginia.
Wanda – your advice, as usual, is spot on. Yes, I’ll just go buy another copier OR drive to the library to make copies until I get it. Now what to do with the large copier and stand? I know the dog quilt looks like a pain with all those little pieces but I so want to do it! I’m not looking forward to all these Mayo visits!!
Mary, I just found this on Google: “Depending on your location, you can find copier recycling services at local electronic stores or waste management facilities. Some communities also have e-waste collection events, where you can drop off your copier for recycling.”
Another thing to consider is whether your copier was a photocopier only as the really old and big ones were, or whether it was connected to your computer and had a printer/copier function If it was also a printer, talk to your internet magician because it might need to be “wiped” of personal data before you dispose of it. AND, since you’re talking to the magician already, go select and pick up your copier and bring it home so the magician can connect it to everything you want to print from (phone, laptop, tablet, who knows …) and show you how to operate it. When you buy the copier, buy a small back-up supply of whatever ink it uses. Don’t overbuy as the ink gets unruly when it gets old. You might want to consider having the stand for another use or donation, rather than keeping the old copier and stand as a pair. Ain’t nothing easy in this life!
Wanda – everything you say is spot on….but I just can’t deal with this right now. Staples won’t take old copiers anymore so I’ll need to check with Waste .Management. As far as my internet magician, he helps me with blog snafus but not sure about connecting a copier – can’t I just plug it in and have it copy something? I do not want to print from anywhere else. My old copier didn’t have that capability since we closed.
In my county in Minnesota there is a recycling center run by our county government, can you check with them if they would take it. Sometimes there is a small fee. (There is a small fee for the long fluorescent light bulbs, for instance).
Oh, Mary…city officials and trees after the winds and floods. We had a tree belly up, roots and all in June. The city did pull it out of the road and further back so hopefully it wouldn’t float across the road and down the river to Boone. That land stayed very mucky for a couple months before we could cut it up. They said they would haul the junk away after he cut up blocks of the tree for a friends fire wood. Evidentially they got itchy as soon as the ground was dry enough to work on…and set us “the letter”. Before we recieved, it was all cleaned up and next to the curb he placed the debris for the city to haul away. But guess what is right around the corner from us next to the pretty little creek and our nice mowed property….but another huge tree uprooted on City owned land. Spose the City got a letter? So a long way of saying…I wonder if they cannot come on to private property to remove stuff. And, the same thing probably goes with the highway department.
I have been so busy sewing quilt tops for my church Disciples quilts for the Christmas Community Project. I have made 30 quilt tops since January in Arizona and continued on here at home, and was helping tie…but I decided I could take my little featherweight and machine sew quilt tops. The gals are all getting quite good and quick at tying and are working together very well and get plenty sewn. They want 5 quilts to work on when we go to the NE US to see the leaves this fall. That five may not happen. But, it’s been a fun project.
We drove past your home and saw Farmer Tim’s beautiful cornfields and his irrigation going. My farm has huge cracks in the soil and if a gentle wind comes up, I fear we will loose some of the crop remaining. And it was just two months ago and it was all full of water.
By now…gotta get busy, shower, and work on a five and dime quilt before going for lunch with my red hot ladies! Be good all , have a delightful weekend.
Linda – honestly, who decides these things!! If you’re right then I wonder if my north standing trees are on state property, x amount of feet from the middle of the road. If they start that would they be able to take down all those trees instead of trimming the overhanging branches? I’m afraid if I ask I’ll bring attention to myself.
Yes, Tim’s corn looks amazing – I love watching it thru the summer and by the time it’s too cold to sit in the porch, it’s gone anyway. We got that wonderful 1” of rain last week – for you it’s been either feast or famine
Love the dog quilt, but I also shy away from Elizabeth Hartman pattern. Just no patience anymore for all those pieces.
Martha – so sorry about your mom. My mom fell last year (again) and ended up living with me. She had no money for assisted living and absolutely refused a nursing home. She’s 90 and living her best life in my upstairs bedroom. Grands visit with her whenever they want, meals in her room, library books on demand and all the ice cream she wants.
I also have a Jessica. When I retired, I thought those days were over, but the hubs said not so fast! We love her and have known her and her family through church for many years.
Anyway – off to the fair with my cousins today. 2 of us grew up a block aways from the fairgrounds, so reminiscing is in order today.
Cooler today, less humid. YAY!
Diana – take a picture of your prize winning runner – we want to see it! I’ve seen pictures of some of the fair winners – all breathtaking,
So happy to hear you & Becky got out & about with the Lake crowd. What fun! Activities really slow down when the college students start leaving; the pools close, less help in the shops, etc. Young people and children bring so much energy to the community.
Keeping busy deadheading flowers and got a break from watering with 1.3″ rain Wednes. Cosmos, zinnia, marigolds, 4 o’clocks got very tall and bushy with the June rains, so blooms are really visible now. People walking past comment they enjoy the sights. Have a couple of the ‘Drift’ shrub roses in flower beds near the house that are low maintenence and just keep blooming.
Have a great day, Mary, still holding you in prayers for your health.
Wonderful blog tonite. Glad some of you got rain. Love the dog park quilt, like the blue bkgd, makes the dogs pop out. Maybe we should all sew along!!!! You all have a great day. Carol in NE
I am not sold on the blue background for the dog quilt either, at least not that blue. I do think that a low volume, or a mix of them, would be a nice choice. But its a great quilt. I have always been a little afraid of Elizabeth Hartman’s patterns, although I admire them. So I can’t wait to see how you get along with it.
We had a violent storm tonight and the thunder is still rolling quietly. Will have to wait until daylight to see if there was any damage. Of course, Molly lost her mind and the hub had to shut her in the crate. She doesn’t like it but it does seem to help her calm down some.
hi mary. oh no about the copier. dilemma. no answers. may it RIP.
i think my copy of the dog pattern just came the other day. can’t decide if i want to make it, make one of the cat ones, or continue working on the wips or ufo’s. i have so many many sets of blocks. today i worked on putting my pineapple blossom blocks together (a bonnie hunter free pattern). i had watched a class with the stash bandit (diane harris) today about sashing. thought her idea was pretty good so thought i’d try it. was a disaster for me, kept turning blocks the wrong way, every mistake under the sun. i spent more time ripping than stitching. i finally got half of it together and called it a day. yesteday i had managed to finish my angel challenge from last year – all plaids. wanted to make it longer so did it thru improv. if it’s too long, cut it off, too short, add more. am sure i’ll hear some comments because they were surprised that i did different borders on it before i decided to make it longer to be more useful. must remember to get a photo taken. it turned out at 45 x 63.
i’m glad you and becky got out to town to see all the dogs. i know that cheers you. i totally felt your rant about paying for service for the state to come behind you and ‘take’. hate that stuff.
am taking part in the scrap summit on-line. loved it last year. only made it through 2 of 6 classes today. i pay for the extended use of the summit to get bonuses and the ability to take longer to do it.
everyone enjoy your summer and your stitching. saw the farmer’s almanac today and didn’t like the forecast. warm winter for the south east. this is why i don’t own a coat any more. i do have a sweatshirt zip up for cooler days. patti in florida
We should all have a Jessica to help with cleaning. With animals it certainly is even more a necessity. Besides Mary you deserve it I wish I could unclutter my house so I could hire someone. I’m not sure that will ever happen.
Oh gosh I like the dog park quilt. Is it all pieced dogs? They are all so cute as are all the dogs you took pictures of night on Main.
In regards to the tree that you paid to have moved, I would have been hot under the collar after that scenario. I know how much all that tree work costs.
Glad you had a nice warm day. We’ve had plenty but not even fun to be outside in the heat we’ve had although this past week was warm but less humid. A rarity in these parts especially in August.
Hope mowing is on the schedule for Friday.
Happy to read the blog about nothing!
Take care!
Pat in Md
Add me to the ones who would love to have a Jessica. My sister has a Jessica and her house always look so neat. At this point, my house could use 2 or 3 Jessicas. I love all the dog photos. I heard the sweetest dog story today but it is too long to write about. I will try to figure a way to make it short. I love how colorful your four patches are. It makes me want to pull out my scraps! Thanks again for writing your blog. I love reading it.
🙂 🙂 🙂 “2 or 3 Jessicas”
I am right there with you!
All of these people and All of their stuff — my husband will start fussing, but he’s the worst of the lot!
I am always picking up and sorting out “OPS” <—- Other People's Stuff
The Elizabeth Hartman quilt is so cute!! Can’t wait to see yours!
Martha…so very sorry to hear about your mom. Does she live in Cheyenne?
She’ll have a long road to recovery, best wishes for her.
The Main Street gathering looks like fun and a great turnout. Loretta would want to sit on everyone’s lap.
We had marvelous rain too, the weed pulling was much easier. I read mice don’t like peppermint smell. I dropped peppermint oil all around the garden. I see the rascals but they have so many escape holes, I’m hoping the smell will keep them out of the tomato.
I’m glad you found Jessica. When I found my cleaning lady, what a treat. I should have done it when I worked. I treated myself to a cordless vacuum….that is a wonderful tool.
The scrap bowl looks like fun. What will it become🤔
Jo, my mother is in Minnesota. She was the recipient of 60+ cards and notes from the blog readers when we celebrated her 100th birthday in June.
Martha – I should have kept reading – I pray your mom gets to return to her home – with all her original pieces!!! That’s still amazing to me.
Jo – my cordless vac is my best friend and I’ve even replaced the battery pack twice. When it gives up the ghost I will just go buy another one, without hesitation. Becky and I are sorry to see Thursday On Main end but school is starting soon and fall is coming even tho that makes me sad because I know what comes next. My poor chickens will be so bored locked inside the barn!
Mary, aWhat type of cordless vac do you have? My sister in law has a Hart one and loves it. My sister got a Shark one and we returned it for a Shark for pet hair and it is electric. I have an electric one.
Cindy – Dyson
Doggies on Main! Robert will enjoy the pictures. The dog quilt is wonderful…Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo…which one would you choose today? I met two golden retrievers yesterday who expected treats from Grandma. They snuggled up close, sat down, and gave us the old “I’m a good dog” look. Sadly, we didn’t come prepared with salami, hamburgers, or pancakes, or Grandma!
Our tree story is that the city came along and trimmed only the street side of the maples we planted when I retired. What a mess, the trees really need to be trimmed now, but not by that chainsaw-happy crew.
Your Geranium Lane if beautiful, Mary. I’ve been loving all the flower/garden pix. Thanks again for the blog. Prayers continue. Kris
To Jessica; Thanks for helping Mary! I’m sure I’m not the only reader who would like a Jessica in her life.
I love it that you named her walkway Geranium Lane! Very catchy!
Thursday Night On Main appeared to be a success, enjoyed by many. I love your dog quilt project.
We are still camping near Springfield IL and had lots of rain last night. Today was in the high 80’s with high humidity, but we spent a couple hours exploring the park between rain drops. Fortunately, we enjoyed a great campfire last evening, as tonight was way too steamy. We opted for the air conditioned camper and a game of dominoes.
Thanks, Mary. Take Care 🥰
The dog quilt is adorable. Sadly I need to give you an update on my mother, Elaine. Mid-Juy she was returning from her hair appointment and she collapsed head first onto her porch. My brothers got her into the house. Two days later she couldn’t stand nor walk. She ended up at a hospital 90 miles away (the local hospital was full of COVID patients. After 3 days she was moved to a local nursing home and tested + for COVID. She is in rehab to get leg strength back. She has hopes of returning home. But at 100+ I’m not sure that’ll be possible. Please keep her in your prayers.
martha, prayers for your mother and your family. what a horrible experience and aftermath. i’m sure she’ll want to go home. will keep you all in my prayers. patti in florida
Martha – oh, your poor mom! Wasn’t this about the time of the big celebration however? So how did that work? I so hope she gets back home – like all old ladies, I will start to fear I will be forced to leave my home. I’ve always said – over my dead body. And btw, what hospital was she in? What town? Covid doesn’t seem to be bad around here but maybe it is?
Mary, the local hospital is in Mankato, MN. One of my brothers , his wife , and a niece were with her in the ER for about 8 hrs. No one in the ER was wearing a mask and the hospital had no rooms available because of COVID. So she was sent to the Fairmont, MN hospital. 4 to6 days later they all had COVID.
Hi Mary, glad you had a good time at the concert, l enjoy saying hello to dogs s l meet them in the street. I have started making some bears paw blocks as the next round in one of my quilts to use some of the scrap triangles l keep finding. Would Keeper enjoy meeting some of the dogs at the concert? Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Sandy – both Becky and I said last night that Keeper would be easy to take to this event – although he has never had to walk on a leash and we’d have to practice that. There were several doodles – one was the biggest I’ve ever seen and so friendly. I have a little sign that says “I just want to pet all the dogs” – that’s me!
The dog quilt is adorable. My granddaughter who is 1-1/2 calls their dogs – gogs. It’s pretty cute, she’s even learned to pat her leg when she calls them and does the clicking sound we make too. Quite hilarious. Eddy runs to her when she calls gogs, gogs Very sweet. I was thinking of making her a dog quilt and may buy this pattern.
Teresa – I’m not sure I want the suggested blue and maybe not a solid. What do you think?
how about a sunny light yelllow to symbolize summer? patti in florida
I like the gray on the folded quilt that is on the pattern. So much depends on what colors you use on the dogs. There has to be a contrast so the dogs will show up.
It looks like a lot of work with all the little pieces but will be so nice when done.
Always enjoy your blog and the comments.
Mary, I like the light green background version that is pictured in the pattern.
I like the gray background that the other picture shows! I agree that blue would not work.