Bird Quilt

I finished piecing one of my projects-in-waiting today. Grandma Betty K. had saved embroidered blocks of birds from her job as nursing home activity director. She had wanted to make them into a quilt, but never did. I struggled for quite a while on the design for the framing blocks. After letting it sit for several months, I took apart Plan A and decided on Plan B. It went from a bed-sized quilt to a throw. Now it is done, I actually like it, though birds wouldn't be part of my decor. The nursing home resident who did the embroidery passed away years ago. I like the idea of her handwork living on in a quilt.

The farmer's leg continues to improve. It is a good thing. Tomorrow will be his last IV antibiotic. I'm not sure how much longer he will have oral meds. Thursday I'm off to Mom's. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Is E-Published A Word?

I know it is vain, but I was so excited to see my little embroidered pillow in last week's store newsletter, and then this week, my quilt made with the French General fabrics showed up there as well. The newsletter goes out to a large number of customers, and Laura tries to pick projects that her customers might want to make as well. Going to Quilt Market was overwhelming, but being able to share the things I found the most beautiful is equally special. There is something magical about an internet business based in a real tiny rural community that reaches out to an international audience. We shipped to South Korea and Australia last week. Our first order for the embroidery floss went to England. I am aglow.

The farmer's infection is improving. There is still a red patch on his shin and tenderness in the lymph nodes, but the area is shrinking and the streaks are very faint. I don't know how many days of IV antibiotics it will need, but he should find out more this morning. It is hard for him to sit with his foot up for so long, when he would like to work on his shop. I am so glad it wasn't harvest when it happened. I know we will cringe when we get the bill, but how can you put a price on life? I will just have to keep working at the quilt shop :) Do not worry, our savings are sufficient to cover what insurance doesn't.

Germs on the Loose

It has been a tough few days for my farmer. He started with fever and chills on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday, the lymph nodes at the top of his left leg were sore all day. Thanksgiving morning, he wasn't as chilled, but there was a red patch on his lower shin. There is an old scar there from a motorcycle accident as a teenager. By evening, the red spot was redder with a pink streak going up toward the knee. I took him to the ER and he got IV antibiotics. They left the IV in place and told him to come back Friday afternoon for another dose. Overnight, the streak moved up onto his thigh, so he came back about 10 and saw Brian. After a second set of blood cultures, B. started him on a stronger, last resort type antibiotic. I am thankful it is working, there isn't more spread. We went in this morning for another infusion, and will go again on Sunday. Monday, B. will look at his leg again and decide when its ok to go to oral antibiotics.

It is scary for a family member to be sick, and feel unable to make it better. I wonder if all my patients are as worried when they see me as I was on the other end of things. Things are now improving, and I will keep you posted. Bad germs!

Happy Thanksgiving

No picture today. We ate the feast before I thought of the camera. We had the traditional dither over making the gravy (no one really wants the responsibility). We are stuffed and watching football. I like the leftovers myself. I imagine you all enjoying the turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. I am happy for you. Tucker did his usual begging and Grandma did her usual slipping him something as we were cleaning up the kitchen. He adores her for good reason. We may go see Jim Carey in A Christmas Carol, or we may just curl up and lounge.

Travel safely on your way home. I am going to visit Mom in a week. Then comes Christmas preparations. This next year. I have to take a new board exam to keep my board certification in Pediatrics. I am not excited, but it needs to be done. I will think of you all as I study too. A career in quilting is looking better and better. Do I whine too much? Love, Marmee

Blue Light Special

While doing research on seasonal affective disorder, I came across Zadro, which is an artificial sunlight desk light about the size of your hand. Living in the north, morning looks like the picture above. I had to try it, just to see. The panel of tiny blue lights emits an intense glow, which the brain is supposed to think is sunlight. It creates a stronger day/night cycle and increases the amount of seratonin the brain produces. At least, the box says that is how it works. I will report back on my experiment later. Like a loving husband, the farmer is participating as well. I love science.

I have been struggling with a set of embroidered squares that Grandma Betty K. gave me. I finally chose a set of thirties reproduction fabrics, and I like it so far. The remainder of the problem is how to frame out the squares which have to sit "on point". I have trouble visualizing it in my head. I'd like to get it done for Christmas, so I can't stew over it too long.

I will be visiting my mom the first weekend in Dec. I told my sister we should have Christmas tea and put up mom's tree. Have fun celebrating Thanksgiving together.

Flying geese, looking skyward

This is my new but not yet quilted wall hanging. It is made from my favorite fabric from quilt market, designed by French General after the 1900's French linens. The triangles on top of one another are called flying geese. It is soooo pretty! When it is done, it will have a red binding like the fabric in the bars. I am thinking of asking Wes to pay for the quilting in return for letting them use it as a shop sample. In the end, it will be mine.

The other totally cool thing is that last night, we saw the International Space Station fly overhead. It was on the news, and Lance called us to come look. It was as bright as a star, and moving from west to east across the northern sky. When it got to the point where the sun could no longer hit it, it winked out just like that. It reminded me of sitting on the back porch as a child and trying to see one of the first satellites in the night sky. The sky is very big and we are very small. We are still special to God.

Progress

The farmer is making progress on the wood shop. Since this picture was taken, he has all the boards in the pile up on the ceiling and walls. The electrician hooked up the wiring this week, so once the heater is installed, it will be warm and cozy for winter. There is a tool sale Friday in Bismarck. He has done hours of planning to choose the best combination for function and price.

I am excited for the future. Once the shop is done, the first furniture project will be new end tables for the living room. It is like quilting with wood. You are only limited by your imagination and budget.

Today is a clinic day. One never knows what will walk through the door. On Monday, our PA, Jody, was giving a tour of the clinic to two other PAs who might come work during her vacation time in January. She told them how pleasant we are to work with. It was nice to hear that our group stands out as respectful and friendly. Seems like those are qualities one should learn by first grade. I feel sorry for workplaces where people yell at each other, or dislike one another. I have often thought I would do the same work even if I didn't get paid. Just don't tell my bosses!

Cobblestone Lane

This is the quilt for our new "block of the month" program. People sign up for a six month plan where they get fabric and a pattern for two identical blocks each month. The last month, they also get the finishing kit with fabric for the borders, binding and the sashing (the trim around the squares that connect them together). We have about 60 members. I have spent the last week cutting all the kits (60x7=420), and finally finished this afternoon. It is a beautiful pattern, but if I made it, I might pick blues with the brown instead of the red and pink. Its just personal preference. Two of the fabrics are paisley. They remind me of hearts and chocolate at Valentine's Day.

I find myself wanting to see the backstory for the fabric...who designed it, where was it made, and how did the pattern designer develop the plan for the layout. I think they use computer programs, but I haven't seen one used. The quilt shop sells one, I think. Hmmm.

There was a medical benefit luncheon today to raise money for a nurse with Guillian-Barre syndrome. There was a silent auction along with it and I won a purse that Rose had made. It has leopard Minkee fabric (furry, short nap) with brown trim and a red lining. Very foxy! I like it because Rose is such a good seamstress, and it will be a lovely memento of my job at the quilt shop.

I'm working on trying to be a neater housekeeper. The laundry is done and I mopped the kitchen floor. Tucker scours it for crumbs on a daily basis, but the thought of dog spit on the floor is just too much. Tonight we are going to the movie, so its time to hit "publish". Ta-da!

New baby

Just a short note to say the latest Fried is here...Molly Marie. Picture can be seen on the www.wrhs.com website. Mom and baby are doing fine, but big brother is a little bent out of shape. Grandparents are happy and proud!

Gracie, the wayward cat, showed up at Wes and Laura's. Rose, from the quilt shop, will give her a stable home with another kitty to keep her warm and cozy this winter. I feel good about it. I was worried an "only" outdoor cat would be too cold.

And they lived happily ever after.

Home again

We are home again after a fast trip "there and back again" to Missoula. It was good to see everyone happy and healthy and surviving college. We ate a lot, watched the Grizzlies squeak out a win with a last second field goal, did some shopping, put new tires on Lindsey's car for winter driving, saw a movie, and had some quality time with the kids.

I enjoyed church with Alex at New Hope. It is good to hear a band in church, and a Bible-centered sermon, and to see young faces who want to be there. I feel sad for our church, which seems to follow tradition without the joy or the faith founded in assurance. Its a dilemma. It is as if the members live in glass bubbles and sit next to each other and can see each other, but the boundaries are so strong that the closest we get is to be nice and pleasant to each other. Missions is being nice and generous to those less fortunate, and aiding in need caused by natural disasters. We are $14981 behind in the budget. The annual meeting is tonight, and on the agenda is "looking at the viability of our church and considering our church's future".

I wonder what God has in mind.

Tucker is glad to be home from the kennel. He is sleeping a lot, making me wonder if he slept much this weekend. Gracie has moved on to a new family. We left ample food while we were gone. Cats are independent creatures, after all. You can't really "own" a cat. They just allow you to love them on their terms.

Bear paw quilt

It is done. This is the quilt I was making for Mike. He asked for green and other colors. Lance wanted it to be masculine and a pattern that wasn't juvenile, so he could use it beyond high school. I like how it turned out. The block is a "bear paw", which my griz fans should appreciate.

Speaking of the griz, Lance, Mike and I are heading west today to visit Alex and Lindsey for the weekend. The corn harvest is done, the flu epidemic is slowing down and there is no school Monday and Tuesday. Hooray for a road trip!

Gracie is still with us. I will leave her a large bowl of food, and fill up the water dish. She has a habit of coming in the garage when we leave, so I have to stop and boot her out again. She is still very affectionate with a seriously loud meow at mealtimes. Tucker is not sure of what has happened to his quiet doggy world. Poor Tucker.