The thunder went on for hours and Hazel is so terrified I had to hold her while she trembled. We got another 1.5 inches of rain which makes me wonder about the mess at the fairgrounds.
Speaking of the fair, when a reader mentioned all the fans etc for the cattle, she was right. I’m talking about the poultry and rabbits in small wire cages where they’re trapped for days in the heat. I wish they’d bring them for judging and then take them home again – especially when the temps are so high. But that’s just me.
Everyday I sit in the porch and watch the mourning doves at the feeder. Yesterday two hawks swept down when the feeder was “occupied” – such screeching!! The doves flew away in a panic and I watched the hawks fly into a tall tree. I don’t think they got a bird but this morning the feeder is deserted.
I have a postscript to Tim’s story. He inherited polycystic kidney disease and in 2019 had a kidney transplant. Who was his donor, you ask? Ellen! She has the same blood type and matched 4 out of 6 markers. It’s a God Thing and as Tim puts it, his story is part tragic and part magic.
I’m thinking of the RAGBRAI riders this morning – they stayed in Iowa Falls last night which also got heavy rain. Can you imagine camping and how wet all the bikes and equipment are this morning?
Reader photos
I’m still getting questions about ordering this pattern – once again –
Mail $5 cash or check with a SASE with two stamps to Mary ETHERINGTON
2345 Palm Ave
Garner, IA 50438
Please make note of this info if you think you might want this pattern.
Loved Cindy’s quilt! What a job to take it apart, recut it and resew, but the work was certainly worth it.
All of the rain stories sure make our 4 inches a year look sad. Iowa is very green and lush with the rain it receives.
Thank you for all of the positive comments on my quilt. I bought a bag of 25 Dresden blocks at an estate sale years ago for $5. The bag was taped shut so wasn’t sure what I was getting. Later opened the bag and was sure disappointed-they didn’t lay flat and the pink centers were thin gauze. Stuffed them in a drawer for years and pulled them out last year. Washed them- took them all apart and recut them. I found the border on the free table at guild and it was a perfect match to the sashings and centers. Took almost a year to remake. I basted the last block left onto the backing so the judge could see what I started with-will send a pic to Mary when I get the quilt back.
And yes, the other quilt is also mine. It will be donated to the safe house for women and children in Manhattan when the fair is over.
Oh, the heat and the bicyclists. So sad. Yes, the farm animals in the heat is also hard to hear about. Haven’t been to the fair for a few years. Would have liked to see the quilts.
That Dresden plate quilt is so beautiful.
We’re getting a break because our nights have been cooler. Crazy weather patterns.
My dog seemed leary over the fireworks, but thunder doesn’t bother him. I’m grateful.
At our county fair the rabbit and chicken barns also have fans running on the animals. Most of the rabbits have 2 litter bottles filled with water that has been frozen and the rabbits are laying along side of them.
What is it about thunder that pups hate? I have a big girl who is so terrified that when the noise starts she shakes from her head to her tail. And many times she won’t let me comfort her. At other times she has to be touching me.
Love the blog and love the photos! I would like to know what the weights are filled with…. It looks like it would be handy to make some of those! I live in the high desert of Nevada, 4000 plus feet elevation. We get summer thunder but the rain dissipates before it hits the ground. Storms bring just a dry hot wind!
Signe – the reader says they’re filled with washers. Maybe she’ll add more details in the comments
Hi Signe and Mary. I bought 1 1/4 inch washers. Stacked 3 together and sewed fabric around them using my zipper foot. I actually googled it and watched a video.
Jo – thanks for the lesson in making weights!!
Lovely quilt, Cindy!
We only had a 1/2″ last night. Probably 6-7 inches in the past week. Sump is keeping up thankfully. We also have a battery backup plus an all house generator. 2 bouts of flooded basement make us vigilant!
Went to my sons house yesterday and picked plums. Making jam this morning.
We have a hawk in our neighborhood that is always watching our neighbors Yorkies.
Diana – those dogs are so little I bet a hawk could carry it away!
Diana – years ago I made something called Plum Sunshine and it was delicious on toast
Cindy Kahrs…Your Grand Champion quilt is gorgeous. Congrats on the win. And, the 1st place is very nice. I bet you made that one, too. The layer cake one is so cute. Who made that one? And, what was used in the center of the weights? Great idea!
It is beginning to look like August here on the Oregon coast. Hay baling going on all up and down our little valley. The fields are turning that soft gold intermixed with shades of green. Our corn has lots of tassels now. Lots of big gold squash blossoms. And, I am bringing in something nice to eat every day. Love it.
I had a bad arthritis attack in my left knee and leg recently. I did not know what it was, having never had arthritis that I knew of. The doctor gave me a prescription for it and low and behold…This morning I feel like I could go to the dance. Yipee!
Sue–so glad you were able to great relief for you knee. I battle arthritis all day–especially in my spine.
Could you please share with me what the doctor prescribed?
Many thanks
Betty Bush-North Carolina
Hi Sue..I made the layer cake quilt..the pattern is All Squared Up. I have a new recliner being delivered Friday, so this is my new recliner quilt. I am also making multiple couch pillows out of the same fabric.
The quilting on Cindy’s quilt is amazing! Congratulations on your blue ribbon. Thank you for sharing Farmer Tim’s story. We’ve had 7” of rain in our rain gauge this past week. My plants have never looked so good. Fingers crossed my sump pump keeps running.
Sue – tell me again where you live – this rain makes Iowa look lush!
Oops, should’ve signed my name “Sue B from MN”. Not too far from you. Isn’t it amazing how a short distance can make a big difference in weather, especially snow! Thank goodness it isn’t snowing now. Can you imagine shoveling in this heat? Lol
Sue – haha! I think we were in the high rainfall area last night and early this morning!!
Congratulations to Cindy for her Grand Champion win and also to the First Place winner. Did Cindy do that one as well? The layer cake looks like something I might be able to do, haha, I love it. Your hay field yielded quite a few round bales! Our neighbor bales our field but it’s only about four acres and pretty poor quality. He uses it for bedding for his goats. He and his family milk the goats and make goat cheese – Valley View Farm goat cheese along with some cow’s milk cheeses. They partner with Appleton Farm in Ipswich, MA for making cheddars, etc. We can hear the goats bleating from here, so fun when they have the kids in the spring, so many babies! Those weights are so cute! Another project to put on the list! Jan in MA
Tim has quite the story!
There was a lot of rain around 5-6 o’clock here. Our son lives in southeastern Sioux Falls and they had 7 inches. He went to a coworkers house to check on the downspouts etc. that guys sister was in the house bailing water because two sump pumps couldn’t keep up. So they worked on it and got that under control. We were thankful we had two tenths!
The weather is crazy!
We are home today! Yay! Plus, it is forecasted to be 83. Still humid tho. Is this the dog days of summer?
Joy – oh, that’s a lot of rain! And sump pumps can only do so much . It’s very cloudy and drizzly here today – I’m glad I don’t have to be at the fair / ugh
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the county or state fair.
The hay bales in the fields are beautiful and scenic.
Poor Hazel! My dog Skippy was afraid of thunder and fireworks but wasn’t like Hazel. The only sign he was afraid was he would stay close by my side.
Correction, there is one other reply from Connie so maybe we’re the first to read the blog this morning. Sorry.
Mary, Every day, when I read your blog I click on ‘read on blog’ but that wasn’t there today so all the replies from readers are absent. At the top was a note ‘reply’ which worked and I’m using that now. Anyway, the quilts from your fair are excellent.
Maybe it’s just my total laziness but I wouldn’t ride a bike one block in this horrid humidity to say nothing of going miles – but good for them.
Janet – I’m with you – 2 people died this year in the heat and humidity!
I can see why Cindy received Grand Champion in her quilt. It is just stunning!