Here’s the first time I showed it to you.
Then with Barney.
And here’s the pattern:
Hard to believe it’s the same quilt pattern, isn’t it? You already know I like simple designs and I will definitely make this again.
And now a personal note – once again I have struggled with pain and I don’t mean to harp on it here. For about 4 weeks my hips have hurt so much I had trouble walking. I could not get out of a chair, I could not sleep on either hip along with both shoulders, I could not get into my car and when I did walk it was at a snail’s pace. I crawled up the steps and crawled down after a sleepless night, night after night. (Remember Betty told me to quit my bellyaching! After a previous health complaint/issue.
My dad died of bone cancer and my mom had polymyalgia rheumatica – both painful physical ailments. I could only assume I followed.
I had an appointment today and after X-rays and exam was determined I have bilateral bursitis which I’ve had before. Treatment is Prednisone which I started at 2 pm today. It’s now 10 pm and my pain is gone, I’m up and out of a chair and thankful. I remember one time when Connie took Prednisone, she said she crawled up the steps and skipped down after her first dose. It’s true. I can’t wait to go to bed and feel that comfort of laying my body down. I know it sounds melodramatic but it’s true.
Brenda – I’m thinking of you tonight and wondering if you’re comfortable. I don’t know how you could be but want you to know I’m thinking of you.
Jeanne in CO – I need to hear from you.
Beverly Weaver – update please
Laurie in NC with 2 broken legs – how are you doing?
Martha – you’re on my list, too.
Teresa in Indiana – email me about Jasper
Marie and Kirby in So. Cal – how do you sign in to the blog?
Squeak – you are soooo sweet to think of my dental issues!! Have YOU ever had your teeth cleaned?
It would be impossible for me to keep all of you straight but I really mean it when I ask you to keep me updated. We’re all the same age with the same problems and complaints – we need each other.
Hi Mary, I consider Prednisone magic! It has always helped me when I’ve taken it. I’m so glad you are getting relief. Your new quilt is perfect. Simple but fabulous. I have so many projects in my head, but not nearly enough time in the sewing room. Jasper keeps me very busy just keeping an eye on him. He’s like a little kid just looking for something to get into. The vet just upped his meds, so I pray that they help soon. My card went out this morning to Brenda. I hope her mailbox gets full! Have a good night all!
Teresa – I’m so happy your vet is on top of Jasper’s care. I can’t help but think about Jasper and hope only for the best.
Mary, I’m relieved that the Prednisone helped with your hip pain. I know that you have many chores & all of your animals depend on you. Love your simple Villa Rosa quilt. A simple really shines with the right fabric.
Hi Mary.
I am so happy you have found relief!
I am the Linda from December who can’t get your blogs anymore. I told my friend about it and she is graciously emailing them to me everyday. We took the road trip when you had the shop.
Linda – and did you try what has been suggested here? It can’t always come as an email like before. You might have to go onlin.
Yes I tried. It is something in wordpress and my phone? I gave up.
I’m very happy you’re pain free! I love prednisone for the first two days or so (I become superwoman) then not so much as it keeps me from sleeping. But it sure helps when I need it.
Ugh, my sewing room looks like a tornado hit that room only. A good cleaning is needed, but not today, haha.
I love all the caretaking that happens around here! I’m so glad that the prednisone helped. Sending a hug to Brenda.
That Villa Rosa pattern is, to me, just an enlarged version of the Ernie quilts you made with 2-1/2” strips, back in 2016 or so. You were way ahead of them!
I’ve been housebound for almost a week, due to the few inches of snow that fell here on the coast, and the temperatures about 20 degrees lower than normal. I had strict orders from my daughter not to try to walk outside on the ice. But she came yesterday and got the ice off my porch and made a path to my mailbox. And today I’m getting a ride from a friend to the neighborhood knitting group.
Dot – oh, yes! The Ernie quilts!!! I wonder where they are. I’m glad your daughter is making you stay inside u til she could help get rid of the ice. You guys really got hit hard, didn’t you? We escaped it all this time.
Hi Mary, glad your hips are feeling better. I love the mystery quilt in the colors you used.
Our weather here has been odd to say the least. All of January was dry and sunny and hung around 40 degrees during the day. February has also started out warm, getting into the 50s. We usually do have a false spring about this time, but only for a week or two. We need snowpack in the mountains to help fend off wild fires in the summer. I’m sure some of you back east wouldn’t mind sharing?
Hi Mary and everyone,
Mary, I’m so glad the Prednisone is helping your hips.
I went to the ENT doctor yesterday and found out that after my neck is healed, I will need to have surgery on my nose. Not too excited about that but it is what it is.
I’m doing fine medically – like you said we all have struggles of some kind – I’m just having day to day struggles with this collar – for example, since I can’t remove it so my neck doesn’t bend, I have two collars. I shower with one on and my husband secures the dry one while I hold my neck in position. Sleeping is difficult for long periods of time so you will find me taking a nap most afternoons. However, as I said, compared to some of the struggles others face, I’ll be okay and this too will pass. Thanks for asking about me.
I love the Geneva pattern you made. Were you aware that Villa Rosa designs has an app you can download. It contains the names of all the patterns they publish. The app allows the user to establish their personal list of patterns so as we shop, we can check to see if we have a particular pattern and not buy two of them. So when you showed the Geneva pattern, I checked and yep, I have that pattern too! Hope everyone who got snow is warm and dug out from the white stuff. I love the snow and since I’m stuck inside, I’m sad that in SE Iowa, we’ve not had any measurable snow (maybe a trace).. February isn’t over and it is Iowa, after all – ha!
Mary,
Great post to read this morning. I love the rectangle quilt and it goes so nicely on that chair. I thought the photo needed a dog though!
I’m glad the Prednisone is working for you. However long your medication course is, be sure to taper off as directed.
I think you should open the top drawer on your dresser and see what Fluffybuns would think of Mortie laying above her!! I have a feeling she got in there just to mess with Mortie. Little stinker.
It’s a beautiful sunny day here. I just came back from gathering the eggs and despite the beauty, the wind is making it too cold! Only 17* and gusty. I did open the coop doors and windows for a little airing out. I’ll go back down to the chickens in a few hours and shut everything up. Husband is ice fishing so I am in my sewing room. Many things keeping me busy there!
Have a great day everyone! 🌻
Goodness, Mary! You’ve gone through a lot. Our prayers are with you.
I love the card showers you promote. Kindness matters!
Beautiful simple quilt you made. And looks lovely on your chair!!
Hope Tim sneaks into your basement again!!
So happy that you are finding answers and relief to your pain. I love your new quilt. The colors are so soothing.
Mary, glad to hear you are feeling better. Hurrah for medical advances/techniques to relieve pain! Love the new “mystery” quilt pattern. Simple, but striking. So many color waves are possible. I started revisiting my DD project for this month. but, first two charity quilts need to be done. The DD will be a splash of color for spring. It’s been 30 years since I bought the focus material. How’s that for a late bloomer?!
I am glad you got some relief Mary. I had bad pain in a knee and they gave me something for inflammation and yes, instant relief and have never had it since (about 5 months ago). I hope the same for you.
Dreary day again. Might get some light precipitation. Book club meeting this morning. We read “Crow Mary” by K. Grissom if anyone is curious. Good story! Highly recommend.
Love that quilt Mary. Simple yet elegant. I got about 8 quilt tops matched up with backings yesterday. I did the pieing too if needed. I made a dent in the backings but added to the “to be quilted”. I will never get caught up!
Dearest Mary, I just love hearing all the goings on. Especially your hurting, then I can pray.. you are such a wonderful person, so caring and devoted to your friends and animals. I have a bad knee, bone on bone and compression fractures of the spine and my back getting weaker all the time, can’t really stand up straight anymore. I am 85 and I don’t want any surgery at this point,
So glad you got these meds and they are helping.. we all love hearing from you thanks for sharing
Margaret❤️
Prednisone is a wonder drug, but not without its side effects and cautions. Isn’t just about everything? The most noticeable are increased (i.e., wild and crazy!) appetite, and yes, it may mess with your sleep. Not a long term solution, but sure potent for short term relief.
Is acupuncture available near you? I’ve done it for years, and it gets me through without noticeable or long term side effects.
side effects….exactly! I cannot take prednisone because of them. Doc wanted to prescribe some yesterday for upper respiratory infection but I refused. Just can’t take the not sleeping, hunger all. the. time. and increased urination!! Just to hard for me at 84. I am taking anitbiotics and using breathing machine at home. Had cough since first of Jan. HOpefully on the mend soon. Love to everyone! Helen
Oh Mary, I’m so sorry to hear about your pain,but also glad you found some relief. I get sciatica bad at times,I can’t walk. So I’m glad you feel better. Just go slow. I do love your quilt, the simplicity of it and the colors. I just saw a Doberman was best in show at the dog show. I grew up with Dobies, wonderful dogs. I’ve had so many different breeds of dogs , I love them all. It’s going to be in the high 50’s, so warm for February, almost makes me want to go play in the dirt. Ha
Have a great day
So sorry you have been dealing with this but glad prednisone is providing relief! My experience with it is like Connie’s. The Energizer bunny all day followed by sleepless nights… I was scheduled to have foot reconstruction but daughter Amy, the ultrarunner, intervened and said I was too old and she was right. I am doing physical therapy instead. My motheri-in-law used to say the golden years are not so golden. My mantra is aging is not for for chickens. Love that quilt. I could sew squares and rectangles together all day!
Donna – I’m quite capable of precise piecing like the calendar quilt but am just as enamored of these lowly rectangles.
You’re right, we need each other AND our animals! My card to Brenda is going in the mail today. I couldn’t help but wonder how the baby goat is after her fall. Update on both of them?
Glad to hear the Prednisone is working for you.
Chris – someone else asked about the baby – I DID show the baby in a post resting in the barn. Thanks for sending a card – kindness matters.
Hi Chris,
Thank you for sending a card. I will look forward to receiving it. I am humbled by the thought of receiving cards from people I have yet to meet.
The baby goat is doing well and thriving. My kids were out of town when the twins dropped (they saw them on their barn camera). They asked me to go and take them to the warmth of the kidding shed. Unfortunately, one twin was small and was deceased when I got there. The one in the picture I scooped up and had in a fleece blanket I had been warming with car heater going full blast on the way to my son’s house. I scooped up the baby in the blanket, fell, dropped the poor girl. I had my husband scoop her up and put her in a safe place so the ambulance could get to me.
I have also put an update on me in a main response to Mary’s original post.
Thanks, Chris, for thinking of me.
so glad you were able to get meds to ease the pain. I believe more people are praying for you than you will ever know. We sign on to your blog because we love your “real life” on the farm and quilting. As we age we all have to deal with aches and ailments. We’re in this together and need to comfort and encourage each other along the way.
I love your quilt! I want to make a neutral quilt. I love the gray fabrics and have a nice collection of gray and white fabrics. That might be my next project!
Positive thoughts and prayers are sent to you, Mary, and our Country Threads friends who are in pain and need relief and rest.
When I mailed my card to Brenda yesterday, (and every time we have a card shower) I always think of mom and her card shower. I am so grateful for your thoughtful readers who send well wishes and other greetings to our reader friends. Thank you!
Sheryl – I will never forget your mom who started this card ministry!! I have kept her picture
Thank you! I wish the comments had a “love” emoji like Facebook.
Mary, I’m glad you got some relief with Prednisone. I do know it can seem like a miracle drug. Here in NC we’re waiting for the snow to melt. As you know we don’t have snow removal equipment, so we just have to wait. Love the pictures of Fluffybun and Charlie. Hope you are feeling so much better.
Here in Maryland we have snow removal equipment, but this ice has required the use of construction bulldozers, skip loaders, etc, to move the heavy ice blocks and the packed snow! So we are thankful for construction workers and their equipment!
Prednisone is a miracle drug for sure! Taking a course of treatment now for arthritis in my hips. And yeppars, after one does I had relief after my first dosage.
Susan – is your course just 6 days or so?
Mary, I’m so sorry you are dealing with so much pain. I’m in a lot of pain also. It is tough. Prayers for your healing.
I sent Brenda a letter/card yesterday.
Ann – tell me why you’re in pain. Use my email if you prefer. maryehazel2020@gmail.com
Oh, and one more thing. My mother-in-law hated her name, which was “Geneva”, and she called herself “Gene”. So that lovely quilt would be a Gene quilt for me.
My mom also hated her name, Agnes. She always went by “Joni” (pronounced like Johnny), a nickname for her maiden name, Johnson. My dad called her Jon, and his name was John. I’m sure most everyone who knew my mom (except family) had no idea her name was Agnes. She also hated her middle name, Rosalind., so she never would have used that either, lol!
Candy – That is funny. My first name is Jeanine, and I was called Jeannie more than Jeanine. Even teachers in school had a hard time with my name. I had never met another Jeanine until I went to college, but she spelled hers with a G. My maiden name was also Johnson, and my friends also called me Johnny. No one calls me that anymore…
I’m mostly a reader (stalker), but I just had to get on and say how happy it made me to read you are closer to skipping than crawling. And to tell you that your kindness just makes my day – it starts it off right, you know?
Linda – oh, you need to join the conversation – it’s so fun to get up in the morning and drink coffee with my friends!! Yes, Kindness Matters!
Your Geneva quilt is gorgeous Mary! I have rheumatoid disease and cutting and piecing anything small or tedious is out of my realm anymore. So it’s fun to see such a stunnig quilt with rectangles – thanks for sharing and inspiring us all!
I’m so sorry for your bilateral bursitis 😢 here’s to hoping the Prednisone kicks it to the curb! I so loved when you said we are same age and need each other- SO true!
Wishing everyone a happy Wednesday 🥰
A sore shoulder and very painful hips – I can’t imagine how you function. Pain is a heavy burden and I’m thankful you have found relief. I look forward to the blog each morning with my tea – love all the farm news and the colorful quilt photos. Have a blessed day!
Mary, did the doctor give you some exercises to do as well as give you the shot? I was diagnosed with bursitis in my left hip in December by my GP. I was in enough pain with just one side, so I know how much you have been hurting. The GP explained that it is important to stretch the iliotibial band that goes from the hip down to the knee because it is impinging on the area of the hip. I would not say it has been “cured” but it is definitely better. I may have to get a shot in the end, but I”m gonna keep plugging. And I think you will relate. The GP asked what I was afraid of about my hip. I told him that I wouldn’t be able to mulch my gardens anymore. He thought that was hilarious and said most people worried about a hip replacement. But like you, I am trying to stay active as much as possible. Thankful that you have relief and can focus on that shoulder of yours. Enjoying all you wonderful quilts, pictures, and life stories.
Love your story, Kathryn! You’ve inspired me to resume the exercises I learned a couple years ago when blessed to be able to have at home PT for hip and lower back issues. It sure is good to be able to move around with ease!! I’m glad you and Mary have found some relief.
It’s 1:30 am here, 3:30 there. I hope you are in the middle of a deep, pain free sleep.
Jamie – YES! I was!!!
Mary, that is the best news that you are pain free once again and will be sleeping comfortably in your own bed. What a relief! I love the gray and white quilt, you are so good with colors. Barney has the cutest face. Fluffy Bun likes to stir things up but I don’t think Mortie will be intimidated by her!
We do care about you and love that the shot made so much difference. I had a knee replacement and it kept hurting and clicking and the doctor said “ that is normal “. Finally I got a second opinion and he said that it was due to the stem between the two parts wasn’t strong enough to hold the piece in place. So I got a revision and now no pain and no clicking. If we don’t complain and I had just accepted it. Not a good thing. So glad you just didn’t accept it and hope you got some sleep.
Oh Mary, I’m so glad you got a diagnosis and a medication that relieved the pain. I hope you are sleeping soundly tonight. I love the quilt you made.
Another blog I read has a Betty that grumps when the blog strays from what she wants to read about. Sorry, but I too enjoy reading about your real life. Love the animals always.
Dee – use my email and tell me more about the Betty you mentioned
Yes, we’re all getting older with aches & pains. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes, quilting takes my mind away from old age issues.
My husband says “ don’t stress the mechanism”.
Everyone stay active, and be kind to yourself.
Haha, I love that! “Don’t stress the mechanism.” That sounds like “put your feet up and do some hand stitching for awhile.” Housework stresses the mechanism for me.
Finding something that relieves that much pain is a wonderful thing. What a wonderful post of news tonight.
The quilt is beautiful, your medicine news is phenomenal.
With your history, being cautious is a good idea.
Take care, my friend…yes, we all need each other
Jo – I’m going to take my new purse tomorrow!!!! People will notice it, I’m sure!
Teresa from Maple Ridge, BC
Mary I can comment if, when I open your email, I click on reader not read on blog. It’s weird but it works.
Want to say all the quilts I’ve seen in the past week have been wonderful an very inspiring. I couldn’t comment for the past week so I am making up for it. Thai you to everyone who sends in pictures I really enjoy seeing them as I know so many others do too. I hope Tim’s ear is getting better.
Teresa from Maple Ridge, BC. So glad you had meds that work. I know first hand what living with pain 24/7 is like. I am thankful that pain I once had is gone.
I like your quilt you made for the chair. Simple pattern but very effective.
How wonderful you have pain meds that work for you!
Fluffybun has the nerve taking one of Mortie’s hiding places. I hope they work it out peacefully.
Your chair quilt is beautiful.
Thanks and Sleep Well, 🥰
I am so glad you found relief, Mary,
DH came in after a long day of field and tractor work today (at age 86), hardly able to walk. He is so good about exercising soon as he walks in the door. Got on his big exercise ball, and very soon I heard him say, “that did it!” Sure enough, there was a pop and whatever was “out” popped back into place; he could stand up straight and walk more comfortably after that.
Whatever works…. a pill or a pop, we are thankful. Yes!
Lindah – I used to have one of those balls – I think I should get one again !! He figured out what worked for him, didn’t he?
I am so sorry to hear about what you’ve been going through! And now I am so delighted that there is a medication that can deliver you from pain. I hope it continues to work its magic for you.
I am so happy for you, Mary. You sound better even in your writing. Pain in itself is so debilitating. I would be complaining way more than you have. Glad they found it so quick and you didn’t have to wait for test results. Yipee!!
Maybe Fluffy Bun has met her match. Do you think?
Love you quilt. It looks great on the chair.
Oh, Mary, I am so happy for you and hope you get a good nights rest. And that you have pain free days for a long time. That just made my day to know you’re feeling better.
Jack’s pacing the floor; he thinks the rabbits are waiting outside for him to chase them since it isn’t so cold. Of course, he thinks that even when it is bitter cold.
Deb Mac – haha! Of course he does!