Today my darling little white sheriff dug under the corner of a building I had already blocked off so she couldn’t and Rick and I decided that if she couldn’t get herself out we’d have to take the tractor and loader and tip the little shed over and call it a day. I was too tired to stand there and watch.
Mud balls hanging off her lip.
And here’s bath water.
And here’s our wet but clean sheriff.
I’m still waiting for scheduling at Mayo to call me – I did call them again and they said they are reviewing my case. I have no idea if that’s encouraging or not.
When we got home I got on the golf cart and took the dogs for a run to the garden – a light scarf over my head to protect myself from the blood sucking mosquitoes! Rick called me to come and open the north gate. So here he is:
He’s doing some repair on the building where the tree came down and trimming some dead branches on his way. (Oh, he loves this!)
Tonight was the Surf performance by Ryan and The Roadhouse Band.
And here’s the family photo:
And I missed it. Becky has a video for me but I really missed all that vibe inside the Surf.
The Fever lost tonight to Dallas and I was sure we’d win. Dang. Caitlin was really off her shooting game. And has anybody heard anything about Kate’s injury last night?
This beautiful doe is eating all the hard work put into that bean crop!
I think it would be fun to receive pictures of sewing rooms. I think in the crush of spring I passed over it. I can’t make any patterns available right now – I’m just too exhausted to fill the orders.
Send pics of your sewing areas – clean or messy, big or little to maryehazel2020@gmail.com. I’ll post them in whatever order I receive them with no text unless it’s in the picture. We’d love to have your name but it won’t be necessary.
I love to enjoy my morning coffee on the porch with you and now we can also look at sewing rooms. Your space does not have to be fancy – show us how you arrange it and use it. The key word is use – not just organize and fold. I always want my iron on my right – you?
So that’s what’s new on the farm today – not much really. I’ll feel better when I get my appointment set up at Mayo. Time for bed.
Good Friday afternoon, Mary and followers! So happy to see people are enjoying the Blue Bird photos! I shall check on them again on Monday. I have two active nests, three chicks in each nestbox. The newest one had pinkish eggs which is an abnormality as they are usually blue. Cousins on my side of the family are here from Derobak, Norway. Family reunion tomorrow, and a meal at Garvin MN where our ancestors came and a meal at the Breezy Barn near Currie MN, and the last day of the reunion for those that can attend, in Tracy with an afternoon planned at the local museum, ‘Wheels Across the Prairie’. We went to see the museum in Walnut Grove as this is a big year for the Little House tv show, 50 years ago..and we also saw the Jeffers Petroglyphs. No sewing, but I will get back to it on Monday! Mary, I hope you will get that appointment at May this coming week. I loved seeing all the sewing rooms and spaces, I am going to get mine cleaned up, maybe I can organize it now. If I took a picture now my phone camera might die. It is disorganized.
So glad you are doing much better. Hope your appointment gets made!
OMG, Hazel is a trip, and Keeper is always at the ready if she needs him. It is good she is little, as often as she needs bathed.
The postage stamp quilt is absolutely stunning.
Thanks and Take Care, Mary 🥰
Oh that devil Hazel. Can’t believe in spite of all your efforts to keep her out she went at it anyway. By the way your pedicure looks lovey.
My son would lust after that cherry picker or whatever name you’ve given that cool piece of equipment. It sure would make some jobs easier.
Sorry you missed the concert. You’ll have to identify Becky’s family as I don’t know them.
Gardens, boy are they a challenge. My plants have taken a hit from the heat and drought and my husband’s veggie garden in spite of being fenced has been ravaged by raccoons or rabbits or something else. It eats the blossoms of the tomatoes and cucumbers and chomps into the tomato itself. So frustrating.
I love Hazel’s antics but I’m sure she exasperates at times.
Many prayers.
Pat in Md.
Hope the clinic gets back to you soon! It’s hard to be patient about things like this. In the meantime you have plenty to entertain you… Hazel, bats, mosquitos. We are headed to Okoboji from CA next week. Hope by time we get there we can go in the lake.🤞🏻
Enjoy your porch and read lots of books during this down time. You’ll be back to normal before you know it!🙏🏻
I have been thinking of you and had hoped you would be able to rest. I, too, am sorry that you haven’t heard from Mayo Clinic. Obviously, they don’t work on our schedule!! We’ve been to Mayo with a 5 yr old, when lived in Iowa. When we lived in Ohio, the best medical facility was Cleveland Clinic.
I love the SOB chickens! We had bats in our bedroom one night and it was horribly frightening. My husband finally got it out but not as quickly as I wanted it out….imagine that!
I’m glad you’re feeling better but I hope you hear from the Mayo Clinic soon. I love that postage stamp quilt, it is amazing. Take care and just do what ever you feel like. Your little sheriff was a mess! She cleans up pretty. Hugs,
So happy to hear you are feeling better. Need that energy to keep up with the sheriff!
Love that you have such a huge prayer circle.
So many interesting things in your posts – the inside look at the early life of a Monarch butterfly, a quilt with over 10k little squares. Just wow!
Looking forward to your triangle project, and sewing rooms!
Glad you are feeling better. It is very nerve wracking waiting for clinics to get back to you. It is always better when at least you have a date for an appointment even if it is not as soon as you want it.
Had my 2nd cataract surgery. Now to wait for complete healing to get my new glasses. It is weird seeing in the distance and not in the mid and close range. On with the glasses, off with the glasses! AND I have a retreat next week.. Taking something that does not require precision. Going for the fun and comraderie
Hope you hear from Mayo soon and feel stronger
The postage stamp quilt is amazing! Maybe one day….. Guess it could start as a leader/ender and go from there. We’ve been having really hot, dry, windy weather here in NE Oregon and a thunderstorm yesterday. It started several fires. Then a short torrential rain fall helped get some under control. I’m sure some are still going because of all the smoke in the air. If you look at a fire watch map, it seems the whole west coast is on fire. Hope you hear from Mayo soon and get things taken care of and then get your strength back. It’s maddening to not be able to do things as normally done. Everyone is keeping the prayers going and I know they help.
Mary – I’m sending lots of healing thoughts and hope you’ll be up and around very soon!!!
I’m very intrigued with the 10,500 piece quilt. My brain is not working today – can you tell me how many squares are across on the top row. Please and thank you!
Darlene J
Darlene, a rough estimate might be 102#x102#. Oh my goodness. What a quilt. The most I ever managed was 56#x74#, added a 3″ border, and called it finished.
Mary – thank you so much for your kind response. That’s a lot of 1″ squares. I bet it’s very heavy. I hope today has been a better day for you!
Darlene – if Twyla doesn’t see this and answer I’ll contact her
Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you!!!
Darlene,
I made it as a leader ender project, approximately 10-14 years!! It is 100 inches across and 115″ length. I sewed rows across and would alternate sewing opposite ends, I didn’t have any issues with it being wonky when I loaded it on the long arm. It came out square, I was lucky!! Hope this helps you!! I cut all my squares 1 1/2″, there are a couple half square triangles in there too!!
In order to see comments, you have to go to “blog”. That is what worked for me.
mary, you sound so good in today’s message. good for you! someday you will look back on this and say ‘gee, i was impatient. the whole world really won’t fall apart if i’m out of commission for a bit.’ i know that because i’ve been surprised at how well the world continues on when i can’t do things. maybe not to my standards though. oh well, we have to live and let live.
twyla, your quilt is amazing. thank you for sharing. the tenacity to finish it is endearing. did you use up all your civil war fabrics? i remember buying for my dear jane. each of those little 4.5″ finished blocks needed at least a yard of fabric. i was making sure i had plenty. knowing how frugal folks were in that time period, i’m wondering about making the back of the jane from the leftovers. would it totally detract? but then again, it’s my quilt and i can do what i want. i won’t be handquilting so that worry is gone. also don’t plan on putting in a show or having it appraised. thanks for sharing.
i’ve managed to make 20 blocks for bonnie hunter’s pineapple blossom. found the strips in a bin that was prepped for a retreat eons ago. i had to cut squares for the centers and tris. chose yellow and told mr. ed (dh) that i needed yellow from upstairs. he said ‘give me your phone and i’ll go.’ he didn’t use the phone but i told him how i have fabric sorted – by the way i use it. fat quarters by color, next shelf has the half yards by color, then the yardage is separate by color. made it easy for him. makes it easy for me to pull fabric. he brought down about 20 fat quarters. but i managed to find somewhere to stash them down here yeah! now i have to decide if i want more blocks. still have lots of pre-cut strips in those sizes,
mary, i’m hoping you will hear back from the mayo by the end of the week, being the summer, it’s possible some of the staff could be on vacation? i know we (at last me) expect them to be at our beck and call because we are concerned. i hope you have another good day. haven’t seen the kitties, are they hiding? glad you had company for help and just visiting. gentle hugs, patti in forida
Patti – you are right! I’m not a patient patient. I think I’m still in shock.
Oh Hazel!! You are truly a terrier! You should call her “The Terrorist” which is what we call our young cat because he is always stiring up trouble! My sewing room is a mess but well used and loved. I will send some pics of my happy place. Take care Mary!
Mary, so glad that you are feeling better today. Oh my, Hazel is a stinker! Tell Rick to be careful! I’m praying you hear from Mayo soon. Someone made a good point – when there is a team caring for you, it often takes time to make a decision; however, more opinions and expertise is better in the long run. The postage stamp quilt is amazing! I can’t imagine piecing something like that. we watched CC last night. What game! Her shots were off but she’s an amazing player, once again breaking records in assists! Please feel comforted to know that many of us are praying for you, and, as you already know, there is great power in prayer! Sending hugs!
Ann – I just can’t figure out why Caitlin has lost her touch shooting. The assists record was unbelievable but it was a hard game to watch with a disappointing ending. I’m thankful for all of you praying for me.
Oh Hazel! Your job as sheriff is a dirty one. 😂
Sheriff Hazel is a busy girl. What a mess she was! Good thing she’s small enough to put in the kitchen sink for clean up. I love that big machine of Rick’s! Boy could I ever use something like that to wash the upstairs windows! We had a big storm last night and today it is finally Vermont cool. Most of us here don’t have air conditioning because in the past we’ve never needed it. We have hot water baseboard heat, so no ducts for air conditioning. We have one we can put in our bedroom window, but we usually only need it for a few days and hate to go to the trouble of getting it in the window. I hope Mayo calls you today to schedule whatever they are going to do. Waiting is the worst part. Thinking of you…
Hazel is keeping you busy. Postage stamp quilt is a big WOW!
Picked green beans yesterday. So good fresh.
Grand daughter and her two children are coming to visit next week. It will be her first flight alone with two small children. Looking forward to their visit.
Take care.
Morning Mary! I am pleased to see your email again this morning. Hearing about your day and seeing the pictures is a joy. Your sheriff Hazel is a terror to be reckoned with. I usually just shake my head as I read these stories about her. I guess I am saying you deal with her adventures better than I would. I know you love your pets and their company is what makes you happy. Glad to see Rick out being adventurous cutting tree limbs and such. He must be recovering from his ablation and doing much better. Nice picture of Becky and her family. Also like your polished happy toes. Go easy!
2 of my SOB chickens…. that made me laugh outloud!
I’m sensing a new book… The adventures of Sheriff Hazel…. chapter 4… I love going under the shed…. Praying you get scheduled and can move forward….thinking of you
Love reading about your life and hope you hear back from Mayo soon. That little Hazel is sure a stinker!!
That postage stamp quilt takes my breath away!
Best wishes for good health for you.
Hazel May cause you stress but I love reading about her adventures, they make my day.
Mary the waiting is the worst, had to wait 4 weeks to here about my husband a couple of years ago, hope you don’t have to wait that long. Hazel is so cute, always into something, I will send a picture of my sewing room, thou it is such a mess
When you are with an elite hospital system like Mayo, I would guess it’s a “team” approach and getting everyone’s opinion is what takes the time. I once waited close to a week for a decision to be made but then another time, I had surgery scheduled in two weeks for a mass. Anticipating the next step is so difficult but just keep your mind busy.
Our west highland terrier would dig like that and I’m glad I was younger to do all the baths he needed cause it wouldn’t be as easy now for me at my age and limited mobility.
Humidity is much lower today and more comfortable to be outside. I like that.
I had another featherweight maintenance class the other day at a local quilt shop and it was interesting hearing others opinions on who does good sewing machine repairs and what places service them better than others so a very healthy dialogue of variables. It’s a land of many sewing machines made now with so many features and capabilities and most of us all said, other than one new retiree who loves buying thread, we’d never spend oodles of money again on expensive machines with more bells and whistles we won’t use. The recent retiree loves her embroidery feature for making grandkids items so to each their own. My take away was it’s good to see others opinions of sewing machines and now I’m thinking we’ll all pick up some ideas for sewing room storage of all this fabric we’ve collected. I learn so much from your readers.
Hazel is a hot mess! ☺️ I’m glad you didn’t have to tip the shed to get her out. This is up there with your cat getting stuck in the tree. You can’t make up this stuff! That postage stamp quilt is amazing! I would never have the patience to do that. The Fever should have won that game. Lots of missed shots. Hope you hear from Mayo today.
Continued prayers for you Mary! May you feel His peace and comfort. Sending you all the most positive thoughts.
Your sheriff is certainly holding down the fort! Lol! Hope you hear something from Mayo today. Not knowing and wondering is HARD!
You don’t sound quiet so weary this writing, I hope that is true, of course with Hazel, you always have to be on your toes. I had to carry a bat out of the house this morning, Nelson didn’t have anything to do with it I’m sure, but Sammie the Aussie was messing around outside until I was going to be at 11. When I let her in she went right into the bedroom, and now remembering, I did find her sitting by the toilet. She likes to go between the toilet and the wall. it must feel secure in the small space. Well, this morning when I got up in the dawn of 6 am I noticed a dark blob on the floor not far from the toilet and when I turned on the light – bat! Sammie had found a small bat by the front porch Monday afternoon so I thought I saved it from harm, picking it up and putting it in a tree. But her super hunting skills must have found him last evening. She loves to bury things but felt this guy needed to come in the house. Other than showing me his teeth he wasn’t doing much so I assume he is sick or injured so I felt it was best to tie him in a plastic bag for the trash. Great day to start a day of farm life!
Praying Mayo gets you in asap and gets all this worry off your mind. Love and prayers, Linda
Linda – oh, Nelson! I can just see him between the toilet and the wall being so proud of his “catch”. I am not afraid of much but I am terrified of bats. I have to tell you my bat story which happened during one of our remodeling jobs. I was on the wall phone and something swooped down from the vaulted ceiling. I screamed for Rick to come and help me and this is what he said:
I can’t come right now! Son of a bitchin Walker, Texas Ranger is on!!!!
Need I say more?
I have several bat stories, but this one tops them all. One night, probably 3:00 a.m. or so, I woke up in bed and heard something flying back and forth over our bed. Just by the way it ‘fluttered’, it sounded like what I thought a bat would sound like. I pulled the covers over my head and screamed to my husband, “there’s something flying around in here, and I think it’s a bat!” He got up and turned on the light. That made the bat drop to the floor, so DH threw a towel over it, then he carried it outside and let it go. Scary, right? It gets worse! Next night, same time, same place … same story! That night I shut myself in the bathroom and slept in the tub! Next day, we called a friend who was a home inspector and had him check things out. The only thing he could guess was that it came down the air intake beside the furnace, which we covered with a screen. I DO NOT DO BATS … mice with leather wings …yuk! Anyway, have a nice day!
Candy – my story goes on – we went upstairs to bed, I was in bed reading and the bat swooped over. I dived under the covers and yelled for Rick. There was actually a tennis racket in our bedroom, – he swung at the bat and the bat dropped down right on my pillow!!!! I also do not do bats!!! I insisted he take it outside and not try to flush it down the stool. So do you think it was the same bat both nights? Have you had any since? Did you imagine a bat colony like I did?
Mary, this episode took place probably 20 years ago or more, but we didn’t know if it was the same bat, or if 2 bats came in together the first night and only one came into our bedroom each night. Anyway, we’ll never know. We did have a fireplace in our house, and on the outside we found a large amount of bat poop (I can’t remember the name for it .. guar, or something like that) running down the chimney. There didn’t seem to be any way for them to get in from there though. After the 2-night episode, I was home alone one day when I heard a funny noise from our daughter’s bedroom. The door was closed, and I heard that bat ‘fluttering’ sound from the room. I called my husband to come home from work. When he got there and opened the door, our daughter had left the window open and the wind was making the corner of a poster taped to the back of her bedroom door flutter like crazy. No bat … thank god … just a paranoid mom … lol!
Candy – I love the story about the window being open! Good one!
Good wishes sent your way, Mary. I have always said “not knowing is the worst. Tell me good or tell me bad but tell me something!” About the sewing room pictures, I’m contemplating the best angle to take the picture from…it’s organized but definitely not neat!! Keep your chin up, kiddo. We are all pulling for you. Bonnie in SE CT
Oh hazel! Lol. She really is determined to get dirty! Continuing to pray for you! One day at a time is all you can do. My sewing space is my dining room table at the moment. Needless to say, nothing is getting sewn with it being summer time. My whole day is full of work: my job first, and then maintaining the yard. With the weather we are getting, it seems like we get done mowing and then are right back at it again. Usually by now it’s too hot for the grass to grow. Oh well. That’s what we chose when we moved to the country. Hope your day is blessed
Amy – I agree about all the maintenance work but you’re right, I choose to live in the country and this is what it’s all about. I’m ok with that when I’m able. I’ll get it back to what I call looking good next spring and summer. I can see it’s not happening this year. Mowing is a breeze with my new mower – wow, it’s fun!
Mary, so glad you are feeling a bit better, but waiting for Mayo to get you scheduled is difficult! It does sound like you’re resting & that’s really good! Love all the pictures & the quilts are spectacular! That Hazel is something else! We’re pet setting at the lake. My friend owns a lake house & we’re watching her dog while they’re on vacation. Since I’m here for 11 days I brought a project to work on. I’ll send pictures of my “sewing room” tomorrow. I’ve set up shop in her dining room table that overlooks the lake. Still keeping you in my prayers & sure wish I lived closer, I would be happy to help with anything!
Mary – I’m glad you’re feeling a little better. Keep getting rest. It’s okay to sit down and read. Soon you have your appointment scheduled and have that to look forward to. Waiting is stressful, but hang in there! We’re all hoping and praying for the best outcome for you. 🤗
Hazel is something else! What a cute little girl she is especially when she’s clean! 🐶
I cannot believe 10,000+ pieces of fabric in that quilt.
Wow!
Take care, Mary!
Your toes look fantastic!
I fully understand the digging, Loretta will dig, find something to eat, then get sick. But she loves to dig.
Because I can send a picture of my sewing room, without my name, I’ll do it.
Keep on em about your call back. You need that information.
We got a lot of boom today, but very little rain…dang.
I hope you are much better soon! I attend two different music events at the Surf Ballroom and it is an amazing place! I am so glad to finally find the comment box too. I have looked for it for weeks and could never find it. Please don’t ever remove me for inactivity, I love your blog, but often can’t find the place to comment! God bless! Paula Z.
Paula – oh, I’m so glad you found it! What changed so you could find it? I ask only because it might help me help another reader down the road. Remember, I don’t see what you see so it’s hard to direct anyone.
You’re right, Mary! Can’t make this stuff up! That sheriff – mud dripping off of her. Good thing she’s small enough to pop in the sink! I can’t believe someone used over 10,000 squares for that beautiful quilt! That’s dedication. Pete would just love to have a piece of equipment like the one Rick is on! We could wash the upstairs windows, lol! Paint the house, cut tree branches…wow, we’re jealous! Dee, your afternoon with your friend sounds so nice. I hope the Mayo calls you soon Mary. It’s so hard to wait. I’m so glad we’re going to show and tell our sewing spaces! Jan in MA
Oh Mary, you’ve been in my thoughts and prayers since you shared your scary news.
May God’s unfailing love and care surround you as you go through this.
Waiting is always tough, wears a person out. And then the rest of the world goes on and we feel bad that we can’t participate. So many stressful things going on in our world. My friend came today, brought some flowers she split in her garden, then said, want to go to lunch? We started for one place, decided to head to another place we had heard about, then wound up 30 miles further north at a restaurant we love! Then we stopped at a nursery, browsed, felt refreshed! That’s the value of friends!