I’m fine, really. I googled brain bleed and I have none of the symptoms – nausea, vomiting, periods of blacking out, severe headache and more that I’ve forgotten.
A reader asked me recently to explain/talk about how I work and I said sure and now I don’t know quite what to say. If that reader sees this, will you be more specific about what you’d like to know?
I tried another chicken video inside the barn.
They’re so bored! Head cabbage was on sale today so I bought them 4 heads to work on. Tomorrow it’s supposed to warm up and I’ll let them out during the day.
I tracked down the designer of Yes, We Can America, the quilt I’m working on. She lives in Utah and has visited the shop several times. I also met her at the Country Living Fair years ago, she says. Her website is Timeless Traditions and you can buy the pattern there either as a download or a paper pattern. She has several other patterns I’m considering –
Working on the blue stars.
Stopped at the thrift store in Clear Lake which isn’t a thrift store anymore, I guess. It’s a regular retail store. A glass mug was $5. These three pieces were $8 EACH! Should have been all three for $8.
I considered this framed print but it was $40 – no way. An employee said to me – it’s not as much as when it was new! Duh.
This was reasonable – $18 for the ottoman with storage but I don’t really have a place for it.
Such a discouraging visit.
Nancy F. sent me this Caitlin article – thanks for your thoughtfulness!
Reader photos
Soooo windy outside from the southwest which is bad for us – no protection from that direction. Wind chill is brutal. Tomorrow we get a warm up.
P.S. I have tried to reach Patti and I’ve gotten no answer yet. See? This is why you need to specify to your family that they need to send me an email if something happens to you. How will we ever know otherwise?
Patti – if you see this, send me an update.
So glad to hear from Patti, but it makes me so sad to hear of the news about your back, Patti. It sounds like you have an awesome Dr. Prayers for you & your medical team, Patti! I’m packing for FL, we’ll be there for 3 wks. Have to say I’m a bit concerned about the travel. We drive from SW Ohio & switch drivers every 2-3 hrs. I know roads are clear until we get to Al. Hoping things are cleared by Fri! Right now there’s quite a bit of snow on the beach in PCB! Love the child with the lamb, so sweet! And the coat of many colors, so adorable . Mary, I love your star quilt, so pretty! Your straight line quilting works very well for your quilts. I admit that I stipple most of mine as I’ve done enough of my own quilts that I’ve gotten pretty good at stippling. I do quilt a different border on some of them. On dark borders I trace with a thin white pencil the design & then stitch on the lines. As some of you know I lost my beloved Multipoo, Bentley last Oct. I’ve just learned of a hoarding situation, possible puppy mill just north of me that has over 100 Shih Tzu dogs & puppies. I’m hoping to rescue an older dog & hoping they still have some available after I return. I’m so glad these things are being reported & the authorities are stepping in! By the way, Mary I visited Country Threads in ’07. My husband & I took a 5 wk camping trip through the western states, so we have met & I also met Connie at the shop as well, she cut the fabric I bought!
Patti, please know we are lifting you in prayer for God‘s special protection, provision, and comfort. And may He also be the wisdom and skill and healing mercy of your rad doctor, guiding him and all your caregivers.
Patti, such news! I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through, but it was heartening to read you’ve got the rad doc. He sounds like a gem and it has to be a relief to have him on your team.
You likely already know this, but managing pain will go a long way to clearing your mind and being able to concentrate and think.
Ask the rad doc if there’s a pharmacist he’d recommend adding to your care team. They can be very helpful recommending and explaining things.
this will be very disjointed probably. i am sorry to worry you. no one contacted you because i did not tell them to. i got sick on new year’s day. seems that is the day that the bones in my lower back decided to splinter. i went to emergency on january 5. the pain was so bad i couldn’t stand it. they finally did a couple procedures on my lower back and also t-11. they put a thing in the lower back that looks like a jack to change your tire. they also did a biopsy at the same time. the pain has been worse since then. i came home on jan 11. the pain has been so bad i’ve not been able to sleep or concentrate or eat. i met with the oncologist on thursday, jan 16. i was told that i had metastatic stage 4 adrenalcarcinoma. i am not a candidate for chemo so was being referred to radiation, also palliative pain management and possibly hospise. that was exactly how and what i was told. i’ve been in shock since then. i was given 5 mg oxey every 6 hours. but i’ve been doing it about every 5 hours. expect to talk to them tomorrow to increase it to 7.5mg. i met with the radiation guy today. he gave me the story about my lower back. his presentation and attention to detail and patient was much much better. there are at least two tumors there but they don’t know exactly where they originated. he told me to discount alot of what these other doctors have told me. he’s been doing this a long time and i got a good feeling from him. mr. ed agreed. he has been in the dark as much as me.
i finally told my family yesterday. this doc (i’m call him rad dr) explained lots to me. he said that cancer is about pain. he is doing another pet scan to see what else he can find. he also noticed how badly my neck was hurting (which everyone else was discounting). he is making sure we are going to find out what is going on there also. he seems to think that they will be able to use radiation to control this. shouldn’t take a long time, it’s just getting started.
at least i know a little bit more about what is happening. i have been walking around like a shell shock victim. i always thought i was a strong person but am beginning to question that. the fact that i can’t think and can’t concentrate has really thrown me. i have not been behind my machine all year. we all know how wrong that is! even mr ed knows that. he is becoming a great nurse and i thank God for him everyday. he is working from home and only part time.
my email has not been read. lots of it has bounced all over. it’s the concentration issue. my poor kitty wants to be by my side constantly now. i will attempt to do better at communicating. your thoughts and prayers are all welcomed. did i say the pain has thrown me for a loop? i hope to be back soon, some of these treatments should start in the next couple weeks. i just want to be able to think, concentrate and function like a normal person. thank you all for your caring. patti in florida (where i heard that the panhandle got as much as 10″ of snow overnight. unheard of in florida)
Patti, I am so sorry to hear this and pray that you will get the best treatment possible. You have been missed by many.
Thank you for writing, Patti. No need to apologize. What you’ve gone through these past few weeks is incredible. Just know people here are holding you in hearts and prayers.
Patti – yes, we’re all worried about you! I’m so sorry this isn’t better news but I know how determined you are. I hope your doc can control the pain for you and I know Mr Ed is right there to help. Hug your precious kitty who only wants to be close to you.
So very sorry to read this. Sounds like your dr. is very good and hopeful about your treatments ahead. I know how it feels to get shocking news and walk around as if you’re half there. Hard to concentrate on anything. Hugs and prayers.
Patti,I am so sorry to hear this news. Your Rad Dr. sounds amazing and it seems you are in very good hands with him. I know you will feel so much better once the treatments begin. Sounds like that will be happening soon. Take care Patti. We are all thinking about you and praying for you …..and your family too.
Patti, I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through. It’s maddening when doctors don’t take the time to thoroughly explain what’s going on so you can understand it. Thank God for your rad doc who seems to be very caring. I hope you get some more info and better pain relief ASAP.
So so sorry to hear about your diagnosis 💔 I’m thankful the rad Dr is on top of things! Praying for you wen pls keep us posted as you are able. Sending a VERY gentle hug to you
Patti, I’m late sending this but I’m praying for your complete recovery.
It’s concerning when you don’t hear from someone who is usually so constant. I hope Patti in FL is ok and that we hear from her soon. Bonny and her babies are really cute and so is Boone. It’s been in the low 20’s in NE Oregon and actually got above freezing for a while today. There’s a really strong north wind blowing this evening though which makes it really miserable to be out and about. I finished longarm quilting a donation quilt this afternoon and will pass it off to someone who does the binding. Our small group has five or six more tops to quilt and they just keep piling up. Better get busy! I hope your headache has gone away by now Mary.
Just checking in today to say I love to read your blog. Even the part about your stitching on the longarm. Cute pictures today of Boone and the lambs. And Gracie. Funny how each animal has their unique personality. My dog Buster is so patient. A paw lifted to my leg is all I need to know he needs to go outside. And when he wants to share what I’m eating he sits by me with an optimistic stare.
Hope to hear from Patti soon.
It was sunny today and not quite so windy; our high was 28*. We started our day meeting two couples for coffee and having a post holiday catch up. During winter, I could easily withdraw and lose touch.
We then had a car lunch in Galesburg IL, where the On The Hook truck was parked at Tractor Supply. Yes Mary, they had the tasty chili dipping sauce. I agree; it is necessary. My hubby prefers malt vinegar.
I loved the chicken video; your barn is so warm and cozy. It was also fun seeing the reclusive and beautiful Gracie.
Take Care, 🥰
Jeanie – oh, my mouth is watering thinking about that fish and chili sauce!! They haven’t been around here for months unless I just missed them. My barn is very comfortable – more for my peace of mind than the chickens’ requirements. Haha! We’re getting a new HUGE Tractor Supply Store west of Mason City – it will be so great!!!
So much for a little snow, we have been receiving snow since 3 am. Light fluffy stuff that likes to blow around.
Love the chicken video. The goats are so cute. Mary your quilt is really coming long. I really love it. May have to make this one.
Love that Boone is staying warm in his own sleeping bag.
The pastel quilt is very nice. Will make a great spring quilt.
Heading down to Texas soon to help out my daughter, will keep you posted how things go.
Taking a small wall hanging to hand quilt.
Just can’t beat baby critters this time of year. They are so darn cute. They just have to be cuddled.
Mary, I’m envious of your stash. You’ve made similar quilts for years so your scraps really go together. The stars and stripes are a very good example. When that quilt pattern was featured in the magazine, I sent for it right away. Now when you were making it, I got the pattern out. Made the mistake of laying it down in the living room (or better known as the staging area filled with piles of ideas) and I haven’t seen it since. I’m not worried as it IS there and will turn up.
Our weather has warmed up, but the wind is blowing a gale. Hard to walk with it, so I’ll stay inside. Just checked and the neighbor put my garbage can back on the rack. Very nice to have a neighbor like that.
Right now I’m trying to decide how to put features on a dog face quilt pattern. I really miss the Saturday mornings coffee at the quilt shop. The ladies ideas were such a help making decisions. The shop owner died and the shop was closed.
During the pandemic the internet was our connection to the outside world. I “think” the lady was a retired teacher living in SE Iowa. Every day she would write about the times and events of her teaching and everyday life. I believed she called it the pandemic diary. It was so interesting. Then, nothing. I imagine she passed away, but it was sure nice to “know” her for awhile.
In the meanwhile, life goes on. My good friends just got a new granddaughter, so I’ve got to make some burp pads. I’m told they are wonderful.
Take care. Betty in Rapid City
I love your Stars and Stripes quilt. It’s going to be really great! Why is it that baby farm animals are all so stinking cute???!!! Your chicken coop/barn is so cool to see. They really have room to move around. My grandmother’s coop was cool, too, but I was 4 at the time and thought it was the BEST place to be! LOL We are finally warming up. It was -1 early this morning and now we are having a heat wave of 17. I will take it!
I loved seeing the video of your chickens. When I had chickens I bought a head of cabbage and hung it from the ceiling like you do, but they never even touched it! Funny chickens.
I loved seeing the baby goats and their mama. They must be in the south where it is warm and they have green grass. Our daughter will have baby goats, but not until late March as they live in ND. I think she has 10 nannies to kid. She will be milking most of them. I don’t know how she does it!
I have been concerned about Patti in FL for a long time. It’s not like her to not comment. I always enjoyed her comments.
Thanks for the great pictures today.
I hope you hear from Patti in FL soon as I’ve missed her sewing reports. She’s a busy quilter but was excited to have her friend visit at the new year.
I’m not the one who asked about how you work, but I am always fascinated with your color picks when you pull them to start a new quilt. You have the best color sense using your stash and I would like to have that know how. I look at a box of homespuns and wish I could put them together to make a throw like you could. I struggle with that part of a quilt.
I went out for a drive this morning for blood work for an upcoming appt and it was 3 degrees and then went for coffee and breakfast afterwards. I’ll have to send you a picture of the igloo outside the coffee shop. No, no one was brave enough to sit in it.
A little warmer here today, yesterday -12 in the am. I love your Stars and Stripes quilt and may have to get the pattern. I have made a couple of other patterns from Timeless Traditions, Norma Whaley . I used to follow her blog but haven’t seen anything posted in a long time, so I’m glad to know she’s ok.
My favorite dessert is called Southern fruit pie, a recipe from an aunt in Iowa. It’s a single crust pie with pecans, raisins , and coconut, very easy and delicious.
Stay warm and safe everyone!
It snowed here in Columbia, SC late yesterday and the town basically shut down. Jim & I can’t stop laughing about that. Both of us were born & raised in Buffalo, NY where we still have our Summer/Fall house. Getting 6 to 7 FEET is nothing there and signals STAY AT HOME PARTY TIME. We usually plan for those.
I like seeing your quilt progress, those colors are perfect together. I don’t really need another pattern but I’m a sucker for quilts with stars. I look forward to some warmer days ahead, its -11 this morning with a windchill of -24. It will be in the 20’s by the weekend. Not much snow here in central Wisconsin and I’m okay with that. I spent a day cutting out some bowl cozies to have on hand as gifts during the year. Need to work on my Lori Heine college quilt and get it finished. Loved seeing the inside of your barn and aren’t those goats just adorable. Caitlyn has certainly changed woman sports for the better, she is amazing.
My husband reads the blog, too, so he knows what to do in case I can’t. He loves to see your chickens; his poultry farm was 27, 000.00, so you better start buying baby chicks, Mary–HA! I hope Patti is just busy with quilting and friends. I do love your America quilt. Your points are perfect:) And, the baby goats, precious. We took our now 23 yr old granddaughter to see Pygmy goats when she was 2. She squealed with delight:)
–5* here this AM. It is so cold the snow is squeaking. Brrr. That storage chest looks like on I bought at Aldi for $10.00 a while ago. Do you have Aldi, Mary? Take care and stay warm everyone.
Caitlin is now in commercials with Peyton Manning for Ascension St. Vincent heart hospital in Indianapolis. When Peyton played for the Colts, he donated money to convert the former Humana Women’s Hospital to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. It’s adjacent to St. V, and they had purchased the building with the intention of turning it into a children’s hospital to compete with Riley Hospital for Children (which was opened in 1924) Both of my kids were born there when it was the women’s hospital as we were infertility patients and our doctor practiced there. I don’t know if Peyton’s twins were born there but he and his wife also received infertility treatment to conceive them. I’m happy to see Caitlin getting these (no doubt lucrative) endorsement deals—especially alongside such a loved and respected person like Peyton. Good for her!
Hi, Boone! You are so handsome!
I love the chicken video! We always had chickens when I was growing up but ours were white and not all the amazing varieties you have. Mom would have loved today’s email. I used to forward some of your emails so she could see the farm animals. The baby goats are adorable!
I visited the Timeless Traditions website. She has wonderful patterns.
I took the trash to the curb last night and wasn’t wearing a coat. BRRRR! I looked at the temp and it was 8 degrees with a wind chill of -9. The low here in south central Iowa was -13. It’s going to be a warm 35 today but wind gusts are 26 mph making it feel like 5. Thankfully I have no where to go so I’ll stay in until Saturday when I go to my grandson’s basketball game.
Your quilt is amazing! Cute video of the chickens! 4* here this morning, but sunny that sure helps!
Watching that chicken video sure brought back memories. I was born on my grandparents farm & one of my earliest chores was going to collect eggs with my Grandmother. She would collect them in her apron. Those baby goats are precious & so is my boy Boone. Please take care & be extra cautious with this bad weather. Falls happen so quickly. Maybe if those overpriced thrift stores see a decline in sales prices might return to normal. Lastly that star quilt-a sure blue ribbon winner! Sat warm everyone. Des
Des – hugs to Boone – think of how many people are meeting him this morning!
I love how your Yes We Can quilt is turning out. Do you use spray starch when piecing as it looks like a can next to your blue stars? I struggle with making flying geese blocks so I don’t try a pattern with lots of them.
I agree that thrift stores are getting a little greedy with their prices. And, just because something is old , doesn’t make it a valuable antique (as some of the items seem to reflect).
Adding my concern that we haven’t heard from Patti in Florida. Hope everything is ok.
I’m hoping on getting back to working on a quilt I started last week from some gifted fabric. Pieces are all cut out. Just need to sew them into a quilt.
It was 23 degrees below zero here yesterday but, it’s warmed up to zero this morning. Looking forward to warmer weather.
The chicken video came through just fine for me. The animals do look bored but then we are too, not being able to get out much. Its supposed to finally get above freezing on Thursday I think. I didn’t go to my quilting group yesterday because we meet in a church basement that’s kind of cold anyway and it only got to 12 degrees for a high, so No Thank You, I’ll pass. I’m in kind of a quilting funk right now so its time to start something new, even though I have several unfinished tops laying around.
I have also been missing Patti in Florida. She said she was having a friend visit but that was around New Year’s and I haven’t seen anything from her since then.
I’m glad you are feeling okay after your tumble against the wall, Mary. I am sure the chickens are looking forward to getting out again. We have had freezing weather and thick mist for almost two weeks here: it is really weird not to have seen the sun in so long! We had one day when it went above freezing and the snow that we got at the beginning of the year melted, but the mist didn’t shift. It get a bit thicker or thinner every now and then, but to date not enough te see the sky! Most unusual, mostly thick mist only lasts for a day or two here. I have been putting loots of bird food out for all the robins and chickadees and blacbirds, as this is a tough t8me for them. It gets really busy around the feeders at sunrise, round kunchtime and just before it gets dark. I have been embroidering in the evenings: almost finished a bell-pull style embroidery rhat is nearly a yard long. This weekend should see it finished.
Fiona – I always love to hear about local so I appreciate your name and location because people don’t know where Ice Bear Quilts is located. Readers – Fiona lives in the Netherlands!
Thank you for telling us where it is. I thought it was Ice Bear Quilts in Minnesota.
Hi Mary, it’s Patti in Florida we haven’t heard from, she is on oxygen but still a prolific quilter., l have a note attached to my will in the bottom drawer for my son to do a list of things when l kick the bucket! Having problems playing video, just hearing hens cackling as l read, just heard the rooster! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
1- are you a stickler for what you feed your egglayers ?? My mother was always concerned that we think about the flavors that would be imparted to her eggs if we were not careful about what they ate.
2- when you do straightline quilting that is close together (not sure about a name for this method) Do you always begin on the same edge or alternate ???
It seems there are all different opinions. I have even seen beginning in the middle of the line of stitching’ then back to the other side.of the middle and sew to the edge.
thanks
Brenda – no, I didn’t know eggs would taste different but in the summer when they are outside to eat grass the yolks are bright yellow, almost orange.
When I do straight line quilting, I do it on the longarm and always sew left to right. I’d love to go back and forth co ing right to left each time but my machine just doesn’t like it. I break a needle every time I try it. So I use the straps on the side to keep the left side very straight so I don’t make it pull to the right. I side step across the quilt edge trying to keeping the length of the stitch uniform because I don’t use the stitch regulator which I have trouble with as well. As I’ve said many times, I’m not a longarm quilter – I don’t even like doing it but a pieced top becomes an actual quilt with each row I stitch. Lines do not have to be perfectly straight – I eyeball the line and don’t mark anything. I prefer not to have any detailed intricate designs on my quilts and I like stitching to be closer together. I’m not good at stippling but I love smaller stippling. I hate big stippling with all that empty space between lines of stitching. I hope you were expecting a very honest answer because you got it.
Great photos. I sure like the low volume quilt. Those colors are so peaceful. And the flag quilt looks good too. I might have to check that pattern out-like I need anymore patterns!!
Love the video! Had to replay it several times because it reminded me of the assisted living I was at a couple of years ago that had free range chickens throughout the neighborhood. I miss those chickens. You can read about them here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJnBur6CqA8
Also love all the animal pics today, can never go wrong with animal pix.
Today I was accidentally bitten by my favorite neighborhood dog. His name is Kevin and he’s a bull terrier (think Spuds McKenzie). I keep Milk-bones on hand for him and other doggies. Tonight he was a little too excited to see me and bit my middle finger when grabbing the treat. He drew blood and the pain was incredible for over half an hour. I came inside, ran hot water over it and then applied an antibiotic ointment so I think it will be ok. I’m not mad,he would never intentionally hurt me.
Jamie – this has even happened to me with Hazel who wants to grab the ball out of my hands – and no, she doesn’t do it intentionally. Kevin was just over anxious for his treat. How many doggie friends do you have and where do they live?
Mary, there are 3 dogs living here. Kevin lives with his Mom, Nicole, in apts just south of us. Every day, around 5 pm, they walk to an English bar/restaurant that has an outdoor patio. Kevin is always anxious to get to the bar because he has many fans there who give him treats. When they pass by he would let me pet him it was in a hurry. About two weeks ago I started keeping Milk Bones on me, in hopes he would stay a little longer. My plan worked. Now, as soon as he sees me he picks up the pace to get to me and poor Nicole has to practically drag him away.
We need to get cards to Patti. Do you have her address? So distressing to hear what she’s going thru. We need to wrap her in love and support.
Jamie – thanks for putting your hands on her address!!! Oh, Kevin! Of course he has fans at the bar – haha!!
Which Patti? I think we have a couple at least as blog readers.
Cute pictures of Boone, and all the sheep. Thanks for the information on the quilt you’re piecing.
Martha – I’m worried about Patti in Florida who makes so many charity quilts who was having back issues with lots of pain. She used to write a comment almost every day. I sent her an email but have not heard from her.
Wow, I hope we hear from her soon, Mary. It’s so hard not to be able to reach our community! Hopefully all is well and there’s a good reason that we haven’t heard from her. Praying!
Jan from MA