All Together Now

It's a top,

 albeit a slightly wobbly one.

Some of the seams did not want to nest nicely.  I'll add a border of plain white and cross hatch quilt it with cotton batting, which will allow it to shrink well.

But first, I really must clean up the sewing area.

There's barely enough room for Dolly and her blankets.

Until then, keep stitchin'.

Turtle-ing!

 . . . or maybe it's Turtle-ish.  A definition of very slow action with which to describe my quilt progress.

However, I'm sure it only applies to me (lol) since 20+ years is a long time to be working on a quilt.  Evidently the top was unearthed and quilted in 2012.  When adding the binding, I noticed the date quilted in in one corner.

I taught this class in the 1990s.  It's fun, scrappy, and when you make one block, you're actually making 2, so you get 2 quilts for 1.  The binding choice is a Jinny Beyer turquoise, which also goes back about 20 years.

By the way, the hand/foot model is my dear friend Louise, fellow quilter and teacher.  I understand she works for fabric!

You'll notice some very familiar / old prints here, some you may even have in your stash.

After a low of 18 degrees last night, Dolly and I are embracing the warm sunshine coming through the windows.  

If furry and feathered ones reside in your yard, don't forget to check their water this morning.  Hypothermia happens. 

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . 

Yeah, progress!

 Two more bindings were begun last evening.

 This small Amish project goes back about 9 years.

 Darker squares border the 25-patch simply because I ran out of the Marcus light blue print.  But hey, I like it!

Details make the difference.  The blue rose square is from around 1978, but the fabric may be older. I recall cutting out a long skirt, which never got done.  Do you remember those knee-length skirts with single and double ruffled hems?  They were so fun and frilly.

"The Stack" is getting taller!  It's almost time to set up my old lap top so I can watch Downton.

Until then, keep stitchin . . .

Famous faces of 2012

Guess whose picture is on Janet Evanovich's web site? I always knew Dolly was special, but now her fans will also.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Thinking Thursday

Dolly says that we're going to hit a high of 94 today. She wanted to remind everyone who is working outside to wear sunscreen, a big hat, and drink lots of water. LOTS, she says.

A big bark means "LOTS" I gather.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Quilt carpet conundrum

I'm trying to teach Dolly NOT to lie on the pieced rows of the next QOV top. Evidently, my method of waving her away while I sit at the sewing machine is not working.


Did you notice her hair is shorter? She went in for her first bath and trim today.

The groomer called me with this question, "Is this the first time Dolly has been in for grooming?"

Evidently my wee pup did not like the sound of the trimmer. Still hooked to the table, she jumped off and pulled table and all right through the swinging double doors. We're talking heavy steel table here.

I can only imagine the clatter that caused.

My reply to the groomer . . . "Yesterday I was training her to pull small trees across the yard. Evidently she took it to heart."

Okay, I know, it's hard not to laugh at this one.

Luckily no one was injured, including the table.

To compensate, I took the groomer, Michelle, half of my chocolate birthday cake. She was most appreciative.


On the fence front, here is Mr. Treecutter hard at work. Small trees not getting enough light, half dead ones, and some larger around-the-perimeter trees came down. More limbs need to be cleared and leaves raked and burned, but we're making progress. The good news after all this is said and done is that there will be fewer leaves next year!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Wednesday update

Many thanks to all of you who have checked or continue to check on Dolly's well being. She's doing somewhat better, but still not eating as well as she should. I finally decided to try canned dog food and she liked the chunky chicken, but would only eat a little bit this morning. However, she did request a bite of my breakfast sausage.

We've been walking 2 to 3 miles a day in good weather and she's showing improvement insofar as not wanting to pull me into a tree, just the pond. So far, I've managed to avoid getting my feet wet.

Yesterday we rode over to Lake Chatuge, which is one of my favorite places. As we walked around the edge of the lake, the excitement of smelling so many woodsy critters overrode her senses and she was in doggy heaven.

Plans for her fence are underway, more to keep other critters out than to keep her in.

Thanks for being there.

Big boo boo

The vet shaved around and cleaned her cheek wound yesterday. She ate well last night, as I made her plain rice with hamburger.

But today she has not eaten much at all. I may have to cook up some fresh chicken and see how that works.

Thanks for being there.

It's been a rough week.

Last Wednesday evening, I let Dolly out to roam in the yard a bit. This is something she's done many times before. She stays close by, doesn't bother anybody and enjoys dangling her paws over the porch step sniffing the evening breeze.

When I went out to check on her, I saw her by the front porch, wagging her tail in a friendly greeting to another dog, but could not see the dog. Then came the growls and the terror.

I grabbed the big shovel and ran down the steps. Sure enough, my neighbor's pit bull, who is known to thoroughly dislike other dogs had Dolly by the face. Whacking it on the back did no good and then they took off into the dark.

It seemed like an hour, but it was only a few minutes. All I heard from my neighbor was "I got 'em." No, I'm sorry is Dolly okay. No checking the next day to see how bad the injuries were.

No nothing.

When I calmed down, I called the sheriff, who came out right away, saw all the blood, and took my statement.

Then I took pictures. This was difficult, but it's important. Everything needs to be documented.

The next day I took her to the vet's office where she was checked out, wounds treated, and pictures taken. Due to all of her hair, they missed the wound on her face. I found it and will be taking her back for reassessment tomorrow. That too will be documented.

When I have the vet report and copies of all the pictures in hand, I'll call the dangerous animal control dept. After that I'll see my lawyer.

It's taken me a long time to learn the steps and follow through when something like this happens. And it's happened to me before in other states with other dogs and other neighbors. Each state has it's own set of laws so if you run into a problem with a dangerous animal, don't be afraid to document and follow through. Be sure to check out free legal aid if you need to.

Many people have pit bulls for a variety of reasons, but if they're aggressive, they need to be on a leash.

Unfortunately, the one that attacked Dolly seems to be left alone quite a bit.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for being there.

This story was sent to me. . . .

. . .and Dolly asked that I share it with you. Enjoy!


Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.

The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.He said,''

People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''

Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Over 3 inches of snow fell

On Monday and the temperature never got out of the teens.

Here is Dolly's, "I'm too cool" pose.

I put peanut butter on a chunk of stale cinnamon bread and covered it in birdseed. Within minutes the birds were visiting. Can you tell that somebody else loves peanut butter.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Dolly's first snow

I'm sending a thank you out to everyone . . .

who stopped in to inquire how Dolly was doing. We had a very rough night post surgery, but since then she's been feeling better, resting a lot, and staying tucked inside most of the time.

And, as you can see, she enjoyed the snow for a few minutes late this afternoon. Less than an inch fell, but it is supposed to be down around 12 degrees tonight.

If you're also getting inclement weather, please remember to sweep and salt the steps of your elderly relative or neighbor. This is the time of year when so many folks fall on the tiniest patch of ice and break a bone. Just a few minutes of your time could save someone a lot of pain.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Just so you know . . .

Dolly is going in for her spay surgery tomorrow. This is a good thing. I'm looking forward to zen-like calm and no more chewed footwear . . . . Or mittens . . . . Or porch railings. Although, I must say it has been an interesting 6 months.

We're hitting 18 degrees here tonight. Please be sure to bring your pets inside if it's as cold at your house.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Dolly carves her own pumpkin!!!

On sale for just 50 cents each, I brought home 3 lovely pumpkins last night. Another bushel of leaves was swept from the porch and I proudly placed each golden orb; a lovely compliment to the newly painted front steps.

Pride goeth before a fall. . . . and a rambuctious pup.

She looks remorseful doesn't she!

Call out the local possum club, they're going to have a feast tonight.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

But MOOOOOOOM,

I wanna paint too!

Somebody has been getting into a great deal of mischief lately. The latest episode involved carting off the neighbor's brand new leather boots, which they innocently left on the front porch . . . . . not knowing there was a shoe bandit in the vicinity.

If I mentioned everything she's gotten into lately, she could have her own comic strip!

The title would of course be, "Here Comes Trouble!"

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Break time

Mom just wanted me to let you know that we'll be back in awhile. Summer is almost gone and we've important work to finish up.

Well, she thinks it's important anyway. And she did buy me my own pair of sneakers at the thrift shop so I really can't make a fuss now that I have something good to chew on.

With furry hugs - Dolly

Dolly the Foreman

Part 1: Inspecting every nook and cranny.

Part 2: Taste testing to verify color.

Part 3: Worn out after a tough day of inspecting (and waiting for mom to get off the darn ladder!)

Recently, Dolly has been working on her resume for those of you who need their porch painting inspected. She hires on fairly cheaply and only needs puppy chow, rice, hard boiled eggs, beef broth, peanut butter, and her newest favorite . . . fortune cookes (paper removed).

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Have you ever gone hungry?

I sure was . . . when I was abandoned and lost, off on my own.


If you'd like to assist in feeding the pals I left behind, please click on free shelter food and learn how you can help with just one click.

Thank you, woof; thank you, bark; thank you, slurp.

Dolly

Keepin' our cool

Today we hit the low 90s again, but mom was painting anyway.

She wanted me to tell you she'll be back soon . Summer is slipping away and the painting must be finished in 78 days.

(Oh and when you see her, please don't mention the "blue shoes" . . . they were very tasty!)

Dolly the Trooper

Mom took me for my first vet visit today. Everyone was very friendly and there were a lot of great smells.

They decided I was 18 months old, possibly younger and very much still a pup, but you and I knew that! LOL

I didn't get a lollipop when I left, but mom promised me some really tasty medicine to keep the icky fleas, ticks, and heart worms away.

Aren't I lucky that so many folks want to see me become a happy, healthy pup.

I have lots of pals out there waiting for their forever home. If you have room in your heart and yard, drop by petfinders . I'm sure you could find someone as cute as I. Not cuter mind you, but pretty darn close!

With slurps and plenty of furry hugs - Dolly