This afternoon I discovered the body of the missing goose. There’s a small storage lean-to on the east side of the barn and I happened to see some feathers on the outside of the north wall. So many gates and cages inside but after I moved them all there was just one huge commercial door that must weigh 75-100 lbs between me and the north wall. The dead goose was wedged in there. I don’t want to think about what chased or drug it in there. And it beheaded it, too!
I can’t tell you how sad this makes me – I know it’s just a goose but I’ve had this goose for many many years. And my imagination of how it died almost paralyzes me.
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I did go learn about stem cell treatments today. I’m nearly overcome with information tonight and cannot think clearly. It is very expensive and there’s no guarantee that it will take away my pain. This will be a huge decision for me.
Since DD#4 was originally named Touch of Spring and that’s how people are ordering it, I suggest we simply keep that name. I know you’ve experienced what I’m going to describe. I cut all the brown sashing pieces 12” instead of 12-1/2”. I cried. All the cornerstones are little scraps pieced together because I ran out of fabric. I decided to sew the sashing pieces and cornerstones together in the horizontal rows – I sewed them all before I realized they were 12” and not 12-1/2”. All of that had to be taken apart.
Can you say discouraging, disgusting and defeated? I can. Yet I still like the fabric and the quilt so I’ll finish it. Here’s the thing – now that I’ve told you all the mistakes I made, you won’t have to make them!!
Our friend Moe has a group of friends who made the following quilts:
Reader quilts
The story of my life recently.
Oh Mary, I’m glad you found your goose, sorry for the outcome. I was praying that it just wandered off to a neighbors. I was aghast that it was headless, what the hell! Then reading others comments about the raccoon, weasel and mink, things ya learn when ya read your blog.
Loved all those fabulous quilts, critters and heart quilts, pure sweetness!
Mary, I agree with Kathi, your goose was killed by a weasel. My first chicken that was killed by a weasel was devastating, seeing the body with the head laying near, cleanly cut off. I ran down our road to a friend who was a bird expert (he had a wild bird sanctuary in the near small town). He came home with me an immediately said weasel or mink. They behead the birds then drain their blood! Darn vampires! I had a very hard time too, even nightmares and found it difficult to imagine a weasel being so vicious.
Last summer Sammie and Nelson found a weasel. I went to see what they were nosing about and here was the most vicious little creature I have ever seen. He was standing on his back legs, about 8 inches tall, skinny, his front legs out trying to grab one of the dogs and bearing a mouth full of spikey long teeth! He was making all kinds of little yaps and squeals. I can now see how they can grab the necks of a bird and cut off the heads. Sammie, I think she is pretty stupid, finally grabbed the varmint and threw it far enough to stun it, then picked it up and shook him and threw him again and he was a gonner. Boy he was small but not the least bit intimidated.
Circle of life sure can be ugly. Blessings to all humans and beautiful creatures.
Linda – read my comment about weasels and minks in my past.
Hi Mary!
Several years ago we had two turkeys, Bob and Larry. They were like family. They always announced when someone was coming to the house. One morning, we found Bob , headless. The local grain and feed store said weasels are notorious for beheading their prey.
Kathi – you’re right – one year I had young chickens that I would find headless and I happened to see the weasel dive down behind a ramp. I got Rick who came with the gun and believe it or not he shot the weasel. Another time I caught a mink in my live animal trap – they do the same thing.
Mary, I totally agree! Young quilters would not understand! We bought plastic stuff to cut our templates! Oh man, it was really painful but we all pressed on and loved it.! That is why we are still at it!
I’m so sorry about your goose! So sad!
Our weather is awesome! But, I’ll hold my breather because we will suffer in March….
The valentine quilts are so awesome!
Mary, hang in there with your pain! We will listen to your grumbling…..because we can all relate! It’s not easy!
I am also so very sorry to hear about your goose. I had no idea a raccoon could do such a thing. My mom had geese in the “olden” days that she was afraid of so I always thought they would defend themselves. But, raccoons can be very nasty!
Gail G. I have made that same XO quilt and love it and your small hearts reminded me I have some to applique and use. The “heart ball machine” is adorable. Linda N thanks for the reminder I have some Redwork I can take to the Guild Retreat this weekend. And Jay, you did a great job on your blue and gold quilt. All of the others are beautiful, too. I think I love all quilts:)
Mary, that “get well” card is hilarious. I have one I am afraid to send because on the outside it says, “I heard you were sick.” Inside it says, “If you die, can I have all of your stuff?” What if I sent it and the person died? Oh my!! Off tomorrow for the Guild Retreat weekend. Fun time.
My hubs said definitely a raccoon did that to your goose. They love to eat the heads, but don’t care for the rest. They usually do that to chickens. Makes me sad to think about it.
Still waiting for word they have found Nancy Guthrie, but I’m afraid it won’t be good news. I guess none of us are as safe as we think. I don’t think she was meant to be kidnapped, just collateral damage.
50 to 60’s for the next week. Grandkids just want to be outside!
Hope you feel much better soon!
PS – Leah wants to read Oh Susannah again! They LOVE this book!
Diana – oh, my poor goose! I hope it was dead before they pulled the head off!!
So sorry about your goose, Mary. What a wonderful quilt show today!! I love your Touch of Spring quilt. I have pieced squares before. Mistakes happen! We just have to figure out how to fix them. I “love” the heart quilts and the blue and gold one. So much talent on this blog!
Beryl: please give more info on Lifewave patches. Why do you use them? Did a doctor recommend them?Thank you!
So sorry to hear about your goose. I was hoping she was just on an adventure, maybe visiting a neighbor.
The quilts today were beautiful. I need to get out to my studio and finish organizing it. My husband had put his back out so, none of my furniture got moved out until our son visited. It has taken way too long to move in to this studio!
So very sorry about your goose but the mystery of how it was beheaded is unbelievable. Very sad.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the heart quilts-I enjoyed and loved looking at them so much.
That was a tragic end for your goose. Doesn’t look like it was killed for food. Sad.
The valentine quilts are super special. Hearts are always welcome, and red is cheery!
Jay’s quilt is special to me. I’ve always liked the look of the Album quilt.
I have seen patches in blocks on antique quilts. Make do is a quilter’s mantra. I’m glad you didn’t just quit. I’ve had mistakes in my sewing experience where I just threw in the towel in frustration. I could have benefited from Home Ec where you have to keep ripping it out until it’s done right. I was always scrapping my way through on my own.
Gail and Marcia and all,, you have been busy. Great quilts.
That shot you got a few days ago must not last very long? I think it was pregnazone(sound it out, cuz I can’t spell it)! Where is auto correct when you need it? I do hope you find a solution, life is becoming too short to feel crappy.
Anyway…Mary, you have too much on your mind when making math errors while quilting. Yes, I think we all have been there while doing our own designs. But thanks for the heads up.
I’m so sorry about the goose. It is sad to lose.
I have never understood all the pleas I read online to help find a certain fabric. Something is too short or “all the pieces left” are too small, etc. For goodness sakhttps://redrockthreads.cartmanager.net/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?cartidnum=68.169.141.172T1638573533R5244E&cartidnumDataStore=1e! Someone just pieced an entire quilt top full of seams and now, they don’t want to put in another seam or two?? I far more regret the time wasted for all the seam ripping. However, I learned the best use ever for the very, very smallest rotary cutter I have is to use as a seam ripper. That get well card has got to be the best one I’ve ever seen. Am not wishing illness on anyone I know; but . . . . if a card is needed I what I will send.
I wish you well with your decision about the stem cells… and am so sorry about the goose!
I enjoyed the quilts today – so many pretty ones! I too have measured wrong, cut wrong, transposed the measurements in my head – all those things that end up in mistakes – so I can imagine your feelings at the time of discovery!!
That card is a hoot – made me laugh out loud. I know a few people who would enjoy it as they’ve been experiencing repeated “hairballs”……
The snow is slowly melting in central OH this week. It will take a while, but it’s a good thing that it’s a slow process – maybe we’ll avoid some of the possible flooding issues. Spring is coming…
Valentine show of quilts – all pretty in their own way. Thanks for sharing these, as well as the other quilts. My goodness, Nancy from West PA, good for you. I’m looking forward to pictures of any completed UFO’s you send to Mary.
I can relate to the wrong cut size. I’ve been working on a charity quilt that was supposed to be four patch squares alternating between the print square. Fortunately, I hadn’t cut all the strips for the four patch yet. With some design changes, I think I like it better. First, I need to finish DD# 4, though.
Losing pets is never easy. sorry for you both.
Mary, I woke up this morning thinking about your goose. I first thought it might be a weasel that killed it, but googled it to see what else it could be. An owl or hawk or a raccoon that would just decapitate it and pull it through a fence, etc. Some predators kill for fun or just for special parts. I hope this never happens again to you, but living in the country, you never know what to expect.
I decided to finish all my unfinished quilts right now!!
I had stacks of blocks, some just needed borders, all in their final stages. I have 9 ready to go to the quilter, and about 8 more that need something done with them. Needless to say that I absolutely hate to do borders!!
I’ll send pictures when they are quilted.
Glad I looked at the pictures, as I made the pieced Iarge hearts quilt shown, and I had forgotten to get it out this year!
Good luck with the shoulders.
So sorry about the goose. Hugs
Quilt show this day was wonderful. Thank you.
Great valentine projects and very nice quilts shown, too. I put out my valentine placemats and table runners and they’re very festive.
That cat is gorgeous! I still have Scotch here. We are getting along fine. He loves to see the chickens.
Yesterday I turned the quilt I am hand quilting. That’s always exciting because you can see progress that the amount left to quilt is smaller!
Our weather is warming up and I expect the snow to go away with highs in the 40’s coming this next week.
Sorry to hear you found your goose, Mary. I too was hoping she would be found alive.
Have a great day everyone. 🌻
Mary, if you haven’t already thought of it- just trim your blocks down to 12 inches and your sashing will fit. To me that is the easiest solution.
Rosalie – well, I wish I had thought about that – duh!! It’s done now and I actually like it in the end.
Oh Mary I’m so sorry about the goose! So very sad
Can totally relate to your cutting issue – yesterday in
I was cutting 4.5″ strips and cut them all at 4″ 😡😱😭
Here’s to a better day today!
Oh mary I can barely stand the thoughts of what that poor little goose went thru. I hate the loss of any one of them. When my current group of dogs and cats go to the rainbow bridge I have to admit defeat. I just can’t stand the pain of the goodbyes.
Jean – her death haunts me because of all the possibilities of what actually happened. I think I dreamed about it all night.
Mary,
So sorry about the goose. Loved the quilts today especially the “bubble gum” machine with the hearts and the little girl sewing on the little boy’s button. So much fun. Still working on the binding for my “January” quilt and have switched numbers for the “February” finish.
Wish me luck,
deb
Deb – you have my approval to just change numbers because I’ve done it, too. Works good for me. Nancy and Kathy are coming to sew today – I really love having them here.
Love all the quilt pictures today, and Jay’s blue and gold quilt is magnificient! So many squares!
I have had severe digestive problems since before Christmas and that has really kept me tied to the house. Most days the food I eat goes right through me and I never know what might set it off. I have eliminated foods until my diet consists of just a few things now. Finally went to the clinic last week and they did lots of labs and today was my follow up visit. I was really hoping for an answer in those tests but everything came back normal, which is good but also bad because why is this happening? I left with a prescription for a stronger diarrhea pill and a GI consult. So disappointing!
On the bright side, I have been getting a lot of sewing done (there is a bathroom attached to my sewing room) haha. I have to find a bright side right?
Barbara – I always hope there’s a definitive answer!! And I have a bathroom off my sewing room, too – I can’t imagine having to walk all the way thru the house for a bathroom!! I wonder what’s wrong with your stomach – I suppose you’ve searched online?
Mary, the most likely thing, if not a parasite or infection would be Irritable bowel syndrome which is fairly common. I only mentioned my problem hoping that others might have some suggestions but maybe nobody else wants to talk about their bathroom issues, lol.
Hope you have a great time sewing with your friends today.
You deserve it!
Barbara
I’ve had similar symptoms for 2 years. Finally determined it’s IBS. The best GI problem to have but the uncertainty of not knowing what will set me off is a challenge. Like you at it’s worse- the safe foods all of the sudden aren’t safe. Anxiety and stress is a trigger as well as alcohol. A glass of wine or beer can be fine sometimes and a trigger the next time. Read up on IBS and see if your symptoms match.
Thanks for commenting. I’m sorry to hear you’ve gone through this – its miserable! My symptoms are similar to IBS except that I have no pain. Right now I’m existing on eggs and baked chicken and this morning I reacted to the eggs!
I know i am stressed about this and that’s not helping anything. But if it is IBS then this situation will get better at some point and that’s a relief at least.
I had same issues a while back. After many tests, colonoscopy biopsy and seeing an allergy doctor…no answers. Turned out my sister suggested artificial sweetners bothered her GI system. BINGO! Relief was found. Still have occasional issues, but no longer tied to the bathroom.
Sharon, I’m so glad you found an answer to your problems. I’ve started a journal to try to figure out what causes me issues, although its not the same day to day. I have started being more careful to read the labels on everything and will be sure to check for artificial sweeteners too. I’m sure they are in the electrolyte drinks that I’ve been using but maybe I can find one with just sugar instead. Thank you so much for your help!
I’m so sad to hear about your goose and Gracie Pearl. I kept hoping the goose would would suddenly reappear. Sorry about your quilt also, I think you deserve a couple of “ice teas” tonight.
Jamie – I had two last night! Honestly today will be a better day. My friends are coming to sew late this afternoon and I get to start a new project!!! Yay!!
Happy Thursday, Mary! I loved the quilt projects the gals from NE Illinois shared, I am glad that you added on to your project instead of quitting when a mistake is made. I made a yellow brick road quilt once and cut the fabrics 1/4” too short. I added fabric to get to the correct size, so what if it had an extra seam, no one would notice and I said nothing. I had gotten a new ruler and did not read the lines correctly. No one is the wiser about it. Today is clean up the sewing area day today, my machine is getting its tune-up. Not sure how long it will be gone, not long I suspect. The life wave discs sound interesting as well, hadn’t ever heard of this product. The traffic was not bad in Sioux Falls today, on the weekends there is so much traffic it’s unbelievable. We are enjoying this nice weather too. I am praying Nancy Guthrie is found safe soon. Maybe we don’t live in a safe country it just seems it is.
Cynthia – every morning I hope the news tells us she’s been found alive! I think about my own mom when she wintered in TX – what a helpless feeling.
The Valentine quilts are wonderful! How fun to make them in a group. The Touch of Spring quilt looks great with the sashing! The cornerstones look fine. I have had to piece a few blocks together because of miss cutting! Years ago it would have devastated me. Not so much today. When it’s all put together, quilted and washed, who’s going to notice. I’m so about your goose Mary. Mary Elken, I’m sorry you had to say goodbye to Gracie Pearl. Nineteen years is a good long life! My cats have have two names too!
I am so sorry about your cutting difficulties with the “Spring” quilt. I was just cringing, as you told it; don’t you you just hate it when that happens? 😩
I am also sorry about the goose; I had hoped it was on an adventure.
On a brighter note, the quilt photos are great—so much beauty!
That gold cat is a beauty, also.
Take Care 🥰
Love the pieced cornerstone in your Touch of Spring quilt. Reminds me of a quilt top my mother received at her wedding shower in 1947. My father’s mother gave it to her along with a completed quilt and what I call a summer quilt (appliqued with no batting and no binding but the edges were turned under). The quilt top is a nine patch and some of the blocks have seams in them. All the patches like this are the same material. So I always thought she used a piece of clothing for those blocks. There are several but there are also a lot of patches that are whole and not seamed. My mother didn’t quilt so she never did anything with it. I inherited it when she passed away. I still have hopes of some day hand quilting it but I haven’t yet. Also loved the blue and gold quilt. So sorry about what happened to your goose. Hard to lose a treasured friend.
Sorry to hear about your goose. Great quilt pictures today, thank you to everyone that sent the pictures to Mary. Mary, thank you for taking the time to post the pictures. This is a wonderful blog that many of us look forward to reading.
Mary, try the LifeWave discs. I wear the X39 either on my stomach or th e back of my neck. X 49 I wear wherever I hurt, the pain is gone in a short time, I wear them 12 hours aday. I have worn 2 X49 if I hurt in more than one place. The disc is a little larger than a quarter, it has adhesive on it so easy to apply and never shows. I use them daily. Life Wave.com
Beryl – never heard of it – I’ll check it out!!!
Hi Mary. I’m sorry about your goose.
I love the blue and gold quilt! Such beautiful colors.
Hope everyone is warm. I’m plugging along. Will try to write a detailed update this weekend along with describing all the cards I received.
Of course, I would love all the heart quilts!
Little Quilts first kits were hearts on 4 1/2” squares….. charm squares or packs had not bee ‘invented’ in 1984…..!🥰❤️. Think about the stem cell treatments a lot more!🤞🙏Super expensive you know, they didn’t work for me!. So sorry about your goose…. Our cat Gracie Pearl (you have two names in the South!😉) went to kitty heaven…. She was 19…. Had a great life!😢🐈
Mary Ellen – oh, Gracie Pearl, you did live a long life. My Pam is 19 – almost 20. Quilters today would never understand what we went thru to start a quilting business all those years ago, would they? Where did you try stem cell and why do you think it didn’t work?
So sorry tomhear about Gracie Pearl! Our pets leave such an imprint on our hearts – sending a gentle hug at this difficult time 🫂