The last time I saw Tim he had a messed up ear – sorta bloody and stiff with drainage. Then I saw him in the basement but not close enough to examine his ear. He hasn’t been in the barn for several days during these very cold temps.
Today I thought about checking the woodshed – way up high he has a box with a fizzy mattress and sure enough his head popped up and right away I said “oh, no! Why are you out here??” He jumped out of the box and I climbed the ladder with a bag of cat food to fill his bowl.
And then I saw it – HIS EAR!! Now abscessed, swollen and literally steam coming off because he’s obviously running a fever. He looked so rough and I have no way to get him to the barn or basement. Remember that I described his muscular body and just perfect – without a mark and so healthy. I am just sick about it! It’s 2 above right now and I’ll bet he’s up there in that box.
Oh, this cold stretch is really depressing me. Went to PT today and then on to my chiropractor – my arms still really hurt and I don’t think there’s a thing I can do to change that. I see the dr. again on Tuesday.
Hankster is coming tomorrow – Keeper will love it but will certainly tire out first. And I’ll be next. Haha!!
Reader photos
Here’s my Number 12, unquilted.
Look at how different the lighting makes it look! I’m really hoping to take it outside – even in the cold – and try a daylight picture.
Anybody got a February birthday for a card party?
Oh Mary! Your quilt is beautiful! What a great finish. I am sorry to hear about Tim. I hope you are able to get antibiotics to him.
Germany. I sent two comments, one after about 20 comments and one after about 43, but they seem
To have disappeared. Any thoughts on how that happened?
That should say, Mary, not Germany🙀. Not sure how that popped up?!?!
Diane – really? No, I do not have a clue.
Both your and Cindy’s January projects are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them.
Sorry about Tim.
I like Jo’s idea about how to deal with all the fabric! I was just talking to my sister about my fabric accumulation yesterday. I frequently have gone on “women’s “ trips over the last 30 years. Fabric stores were always on the agenda. I bought fabric EVERY time and then when I got home, it was back to work with not enough time to start, let alone finish, all the projects! Well, in retirement, I am making headway finally. And I appreciate the monthly draw and encouragement, from you, Mary, and other readers.
Did you happen to see the Indiana vs UCLA game today? 2 overtime’s and a good outcome, I think! And now UConn #2 is on.
Supposed to be in the mid 20’s tomorrow. I sure hope so.
And, Brenda, hang in there. I also hope that baby goat is named after you! I’ll be happy to send you a card. 🌻
Sunflower – I had company and missed it!
Mary, Your calendar quilt is stunning. All those little pieces fitting together perfectly. I cringed when I saw how many flying geese blocks were involved. Such tiny ones too. I just love it and, especially the color choices.
We’re at 27 degrees right now and it is such a relief to get out of below zero temperatures. Hopefully we’re on the upswing for a long stretch.
After reading your comments this afternoon about the cats, it reminded me of my jail girls. They had rescued cats in their pod and cared for them. They had moms and babies, injured ones, shy and friendly ones. Many of them checked out my bag when I came in to teach.
It was good for the girls as well as the officers in the facility. The officers often came in to decompress after an especially tough event. They had dogs too till the building was remodeled and the courtyard was removed making room for more cells. No place to go potty.
Many of the cats were adopted by the officers after their rehab.
Mary, your quilt is gorgeous & I marvel at the precise piecing needed to make it all fit together. Cindy, your Halloween quilt is so bright & cheerful. And Brenda, what a terrible injury to incur doing an act of kindness. Best wishes for fast healing. Tim is a lucky boy to have you caring for him.
Just beautiful!!! Great job!!!
Mary I really love love love your quilt. My style and colors. I hope you can catch Tim and get him to the vet Hate to see animals suffer.
Mary, your quilt is beautiful. If Tim has to have troubles, I’m so glad he is with you. But please be careful as you venture to the barn or where ever. You have to take care of yourself to take care of your animals! Cindy, I love your quilt and the colors!
Absolutely fabulous!
So sorry to hear about Tim. Be very careful and always wear gloves around him if you are lucky enough to catch him. Entice him into a cage/trap?
Bitter cold here too but tomorrow is to warm up above freezing to maybe 40. Ground hog Day coming up! Friend in NC is snowed in and daughter in Arkansas has ice and has had no mail for a week. We have no snow here in Carson.
I am hoping for sew days here by myself for a couple days. “Crow Mary” by K. Grissom is our book club book this month and I recommend it highly.
Mary,
Glad you have some antibiotics for Tim. Thank you for caring for him. Just be careful on the ladder.
I have a cold weather story for you. On January 18, my daughter-in-law called me in a panic stating they (her, my son & grandson) were out of town and saw one of their goats drop 2 kids on the ground out side of their warming barn they have cameras in their barn). Would I go to their house and put them in the warming barn. They were 1.5 hours away and heading home. I didn’t want to because I have mobility issues but a baby animal was involved so I said yes. I got to the kids, unfortunately, one had died (i think it hadn’t fully developed). I scooped up the kid who was alive in a blanket I had warmed on the car dash blasting it full blast on the way to their house. I had taken about 5 steps when I slipped and totally face planted on the frozen ground. I suffered a whiplash injury by banging my right eye/nose/forehead. In the end, I broken my nose, my neck at the level of C1, had a large abrasion on my forehead and a concussion. I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital and then to the trauma center in Des Moines where I spent a week in the hospital. I now am sporting a new ‘necklace’ for the next 8 weeks. And boy, my face is all the shades of purple, yellow, and green (wonder if there is a quilt pattern in there?).
The good news is that when I fell, I dropped the poor baby goat (still in its warm blanket). My husband scooped her up and took her to safety. She and her mother and doing just fine. I had to lay on the cold ground for about 45 minutes because in rural Iowa, the ambulance isn’t that close. :-(. The good news is that the baby and the mother are doing great and the baby is just the cutest (my son sent pictures because my docs in Des Moines wanted to see the baby I saved). I would love to be the recipient of cards in February since I’m sequestered inside. With my c-collar, I can’t drive (my husband has mild cognitive impairment so he gave up his license). Mail would sure be a day-brightener for me.
I shared all this to say, be careful on the ladder. An accident can happen so fast. However, thank you for your love and care for animals. I feel the same way as you do.
Oh Brenda, so awful that you hurt yourself doing a good deed! I hope Mary sends us your address so we can send you cards.
I am so sorry Brenda. Of course it’s one of those times we do what we have to do and then think back about it. Please take care of yourself. You were a good person with a love for animals. Hugs.
Brenda, What a story. If anyone deserves a card shower, you certainly do. Hopefully you will be feeling better very soon.
Brenda!!!! Just trying to do the right thing and it returned the favor with week long hospital stay!! I first want to ask why your son didn’t put this expectant mom inside if they were going to be gone? Knowing she was close to delivery it would have been the smart thing to do. (Sorry I had to put in my two cents worth!)
You are definitely the hero here – you saved that baby’s life – I hope they named it Brenda! Haha!
And I am tickled to death to make you our next card recipient – you’re right, if anybody could use some cheering up, it would be you!! Please leave your full name and mailing address. Also send it to my email – maryehazel2020@gmail.com. Thank you so much for speaking up!! If you can include a picture of the baby in your email I’ll be able to post it.
My address is 15379 Highway 149, Ottumwa IA 52501. Thanks so much for allowing the card shower for me. Mary, I also sent my address and the baby goat picture to your email.
Brenda, I full understand the face plant. I did that a few years back while finishing up a hike in a national park. My broken nose gushed blood and the skin colors reminded one of the northern lights. It’s scary that a little trip can turn into a big deal so fast. I hope Mary posts your address as I’d love to send you a card.
Martha – I did ask for her address! I’ll post when I get it
Oh Martha! What a trip!! (Sorry, that was a bad joke). I am a retired OR nurse. I thought I had seen some blood in my day but oh my goodnes so much blood! Did you have to have your nose repaired? I don’t know about mine. Will not see my local ENT doc until next week. Nasal surgery is not one I have in my top 10 surgeries to have. I know what happens! LOL. Thanks for sharing your story.
Yay! You have some antibiotic for Tim!! Hope he gets better!
The quilts are beautiful!
I am also very sick of the cold. At least we have sunshine!
Your calendar quilt is beautiful!
I agree with this weather, it’s depressing! It’s unusual for it to be this cold for this long in this area. At least our roads are cleared off & traveling is fine. Tonight we drop Boots off at my friend’s home where he will stay for the next month while we are in FL. Due to the cold temps in FL I had to rethink what clothing & shoes to take! I’m hoping to take my travel machine & a couple of projects to work on, but we’ll see if there’s room in the car. #12 is as finished as I can make it. I’ll send another picture of the tree skirt when I get home & get it quilted. Poor Tim, wonder what he tangled with? Sure hope putting meds in his food work to get him well. Loving the pictures of Mortie, she’s so photogenic! Mary & Cindy love your #12’s! Both are spectacular!! Now I’m off to run last minute errands before we pack the car to leave early tomorrow morning!
Alice – is this the home that has a dog friend for Boots? Oh, he will miss you! I think you picked a good month to be gone even tho it’s cold in FL, too. Connie and Roy are also en route to FL for 2 months
Yes, we dropped Boots off tonight & the two boys were racing around the house having fun playing with each other. I will have her dog for a week in April & then again in July. Ron & I will miss Boots. I wish we could have taken him, but they don’t allow pets in the condo. We’re packed & leaving at 6 AM tomorrow.
Poor Tim. My cat, Tippy developed a similar problem on her left ear. I think she brushed up against the barbeque grill on one of those terribly cold days and stuck to the metal. She is mostly an inside cat, but prefers to potty outside. Hers is clearing up but she has lost most of her fur on the tip of her ear. It sounds like Tim will need an antibiotic to clear up his.
Oh it’s so sad when animals don’t understand how we need to take care of them. Their instinct is to go hide and us humans want them well. I pray our Tim is better soon. I’d worry right along with you but sure wish I could help due to your limitations. A friend my age who does cat rescues and fights for them around every corner asked me to join her for chair yoga classes. I think I should say yes if it keeps her limber to do the work she’s pushing her body to do.
Both #12’s are fabulous! I know how worried you must be about Tim. Poor guy! Wonder what he tangled with…
We are in a middle of a heat wave this morning. It was up to +12 degrees! Have a great day everyone.
Maybe if you can get something to make Tim a little sleepy, would Farmer Tim be able to come over and help you get him down and in a cat carrier to get him to the vet? My feral one stayed in the house, but wouldn’t let anyone touch her for two years. It’s so hard to take care of them.
You are pretty amazing, Mary- climbing ladders, taking care of all the animals you love, your plants, the farm, all of us- with your blog! It’s a lot of work!
The cold is getting to me too, here in Wisconsin. Ready for spring.
Both #12 UFO’s are beautiful and yours Mary is so “Country Threads.”
I’m just sick about Tim. Another thing you could try is an oral medicine that will put him to sleep long enough to take him to the vet to be treated. And then something to put on his food to make him lethargic after you get him home until he’s healthy again.
I’m feeding/watering five feral cats at the moment – Blackie, Blaze, Star, Gem and a gold cat I haven’t named. Three of the five are sleeping in the heated cat house. The walls and floors are heated so it’s nice and toasty in there. I have a large heated water bowl which they drink dry twice a day.
In another post I’ll rant about the cat condo (indoors) I ordered on January 3rd for Annie (feral momma) and her four kittens – Nikko, Oliver, Heidi, and no name. I need to get them contained so I can get them all vetted and fixed.
Gloria, thank you for caring for these special babies. Bless you.
Gloria – was the condo an Amazon sale? Maddening! How are Mama and her babies? Where are they sleeping now? You’ve got such a great set up there. I won’t give up on Tim!
My neighbor has a garden shed where Annie and her kittens are staying . In fact that’s where her kittens were born.
I ordered the cat condo from Amazon not knowing it had to be shipped from China. It cleared customs a couple a week and a half ago. The tracking number hasn’t been updated since the 26th. I can’t cancel it because it’s already enroute. I noticed on Amazon that the seller has now changed the delivery to six weeks!
Gloria – oh, no! I’ve been wondering about your kittens.
Cindy, You sure have a special talent with colors fitting the pattern. I’m jealous. Mary, I love your #12 also. I would love to make it but I’m afraid it will sit in the ‘I’ll get to it sometime” pile. Hopefully you will be able to medicate Tim with putting medicine in his food – good luck. Our weather in Minnesota is finally going to break today and start turning warm(er). Have a great day everyone.
So many of us have completed their Dirty Dozen quilt this month! Cindy and Mary, your quilts are just wonderful. So much to look at in both of them. Congratulations! I’m excited to see what is chosen for February.
Mary – Oh how I wish I lived closer to you and I’d give you a hand. I feel your pain with Tim. I brought hone a semi-feral kitty 11 years ago. She’s finally where she’ll come near but that’s taken many many years. I can’t tell you how many vet appointments I had to reschedule because I couldn’t find her, Thank goodness the vet would just laugh. I’m glad you found the antibiotic. Prayers for success!!!
This cold is brutal ……. not sure there’s any part of the country that isn’t suffering. All this is absolutely depressing, I have projects to keep me busy, but the cold makes my bones ache. Stay safe and warm all!
Poor Tim. I have a feral cat. He’s 15+ years old. He spends the winter in the house, but outside in the summer. If he should get sick, there’s not much I can do because he won’t let anyone touch him. I feel so bad about cats like that. I love your calendar quilt. It’s called Marie’s Quilt from the book “French Farmhouse ” by Marie- Claude Picon. After seeing your quilt, I searched online and bought the book. Someday I hope to make it.
Sending good thoughts to you and Tim. Hope to get good news on both of you very soon. Hugs to both of you.
You ladies have read my mind…my thoughts while reading Mary’s post is a picture of Tim and hopefully some medicine from a Vet to put in his food. I’m sure Vets have dealt with this before.
Now, Mary, if we could find some medicine to put in your food. Brother, I wish I could help.
I have my backing fabric in large containers with the measurements stapled to a corner and a list of the measurements in front of the container. I’m going through them, making sure the inventory list is current. I have 12- 66qt. containers full of backing fabric. There is something wrong with me!! I need to extend my life expectancy to deal with all this fabric.
Jo — I said something similar to a friend after digging through my sewing room — I said, oh my I can never die with all this fabric! So it’s not just you, We are all in that same boat I think!!!
Jo, now this is a good idea labeling the backing. I have leftover strips of 108” wide fabric I should stitch together to make a bigger piece and use it up. Don’t know why I never thought of this as I do attach a tag to my batting pieces with the sizes. Another good thought to occupy me in winter. And yup I’m thinking 12 containers of backing is a lot but you did long arm for people so it’s good it was never wasted.
Jo – when you figure out how to extend your life to match your fabric, we ALL want to know!!! Haha!!
Mary and Cindy, your #12’s are fantastic!
Thanks for sharing.
So sorry about Tim. Hope his ear will heal soon with the help of your meds.
Sending warm vibes to all of you in the cold weather.
Oh poor Tim. I know you’re worried. I hope the antibiotic will help him. Your DD#12 is beautiful!
Poor Tim! But lucky that you will make sure he gets help and relief. Hope you get pain relief, too—pain killers not working? Your quilt is amazing and so is Cindy’s—love them both!
Quilt # 12 is a masterpiece!
So very sorry about Tim and his ear! Praying for him to cooperate so you can get him some medical help!
So sorry to hear about Tim. Hope you are able to help him or someone can help bring him down so his ear can be bathed. Terrib l y sad.
I sure hope Tim gets better or you are able to help him. Do vets have an oral antibiotic you could mix with food. Maybe if you were able to get a picture of the ear they would get you something if it was available. I have no idea if that is a thing. Good Luck, hope it all works out.
Marie – not only is it a thing, I have it! Got a full bottle for Millie after her dental cleaning but there’s no way I’m able to give it to her – so now I’m going to put it in canned food for Tim! Yes! And thank you!!!
Wonderful.
Yay!