Some good news . . .

We got here to Billings and Bob had the ultra sound done here again at the cardiovascular clinic here. They did not believe the blockage was as bad as we had been told in Bozeman. They said they would place it at between 50 and 69% on each side and they follow the guideline that unless it is over 70% and there are symptoms of mini-stroke that the surgery has more possibility of stroke than that blockage level. He does have some symptoms, however, so they are going to do a CT scan with dye in the morning to verify the readings here as there has been discrepency in the various tests. But, it sounds better to us. If they see a need for surgery, it would not be considered an emergency and we can schedule it for next week or the week after. There could be a kink or severe turn in the arteries that are reading as heavy blockage and that will show up tomorrow.

But for now, we are feeling better. We have just returned to the hotel after a wonderful dinner out at a favorite restaurant. Our hotel is right in the parking lot of this large medical complex and it is a wonderful hotel. We go out the front door of the hotel and walk into the entry to the cardiovascular clinic.

Veteran's Day . . .

I remember a story of my Uncle Paul when he was in Korea - one that has guided my life for all these past decades. He wrote a letter home to Mom and she was reading it in the car to Dad as we drove home to the farm from town. I was in the back seat and I can see the back of that seat, their heads and hear her reading just as if it happened a moment ago. He wrote how they were on the front lines in a trench and shells were being lofted from friendly fire behind them and the enemy in front of them. His buddy next to him was hit. It was dark and cold and they were without any protection. He remembered Psalms 23 from memory and repeated it over and over until morning came. That visual and these words have guided my life and held me strong for all of my life . . .

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I watched the memorial service yesterday for the fallen soldiers from Fort Hood. I watched every minute and some parts many times. I could not stop the tears. These words in particular, from President Obama, stay with me today:

"Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a chance to pause, and to pay tribute – for students to learn of the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.

For history is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf. But as we honor the many generations who have served, I think all of us – every single American – must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who have come before.

We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes."

Thank you!

Sometimes . . .

For the past few months, I have been trying to stay out of the spider web. I had an epiphany one night in a hotel in Missoula in early August. I realized that I get in trouble when I think I can "right the world". This usually manifests itself in my thinking that if I just talk with certain folks, they will come to "understand", "see the light", and then all will be well - or at least "well" as I see it.

In the middle of the night, awake and trying to figure out a better way, I realized that it is like a spider's web for me. I need to not go there. Stay out of the web . Let people think their thoughts and say their words, but don't enter that web. I can only "do" me.

This morning, and I know it is because I am very tense about Bob's coming surgery, I found a couple things that are potential webs to me. Why would someone post on a public quilting discussion board about another person's business practices - of course no names, but lots of hints - but why do that? If you have an issue with someone's business practices, take it up directly with that person and resolve it there. Can one event deemed "unprofessional" be resolved by another unprofessional act? Now I am reminding myself to stay out of that web.

And, why is it okay, even meritorious, to openly criticize a huge section of our world who follow a different religion? I can understand that as the world works to become one in peace, we have a lot of work to do. There are changes that are difficult for everyone, lives lost that shouldn't be, wounds that never heal - but it is the journey we are on and one for which we have to find our way as humans. As soon as we post our side being best, in song or deed or event or token, we ostracize the other. That is one huge web that has no place on a quilting discussion board. So, why go there?

Maybe I should stay away from quilting discussion boards. That might be the real web. Hmmm, I will have to think about that.

Tote is finished. . .

And I am very happy with it. I made one first and now have two others to make for gifts from the same fabric. This one is for me! It is the "Open City Tote" from Quilts Illustrated and is designed by Penny Sturges. I first saw it made up on LAChat by a member there (if you are a member you can see it at that link) and that is where I got my first inspiration. I used home dec fabric from Joann's that was on sale for the outside and quilt fabric for the inside. I love the shape and all of the little pockets inside. I like it even better than I thought I would and that is always a great surprise.

Taking a nap . . .

This big guy was taking a nap right outside the door of our bedroom. I took this picture through the door so it is not very crisp. Then I walked to the back patio door to take another picture from further away. I quietly opened the door, he woke up, but sat still while I took his picture. He did not even seem wary. His entire harem of 9 or so other deer (females and older babies) are in the backyard sleeping and eating with him. He is just watching and snoozing as they go about their business.

What we know . . .

We are set to go to Billings next week for consultation and surgery. We have been advised to plan to stay for several days and I know everything will be okay. Bob will have carotid artery surgery to remove blockage. It is amazing that he has over 70% blockage on one side and almost 70% blockage on the other side. He is not overweight, does not have high cholesterol, never smoked, has always been atheletic and exercised all his life. The other arteries in his body are clear. His doctor was shocked as well. I think the "not knowing what the solution would be" is worse than the coming events. We feel confident that we are now on the right path and recovery will be good. They will do the worse side and then make a decision on the other one for later.

I also had a couple more facial moles removed today. One of them was very difficult and was quite a little surgery and very painful. (I feel silly even saying that considering what Bob is going to go through - but it did hurt a bunch) I figured I might as well go ahead as with this as planned because it does not matter to me with everything else going on whether or not I have stitches and bandages on my face. I really like this dermatologist. She is a pretty straight forward doctor and I like that. But she did tell me that she knew the last one was going to be a lot more painful and more of a procedure so she saved it until last. She said she thought I would probably not have the others removed if she had done it first. She was right.

I did get the stitches out from the removals on Monday and the doctor was amazed that they had healed so well. I didn't tell her I used my secret "potion" once I could. I use emu oil - great stuff. It helps things heal quickly, minimizes wrinkles, and helps arthritis when rubbed into sore areas.

So - after a nervous day of waiting for Bob's surgery schedule, eating all of the ice cream in the freezer (well, almost anyway) and getting through my "recovery" - tomorrow will be a better day to get some stuff done here so we are ready for next week and for a couple weeks of recovery for Bob after that.

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts - we appreciate both so much!

A bit more . . .

Only a bit of sewing today - it was a busy day. We started out at the hospital and ended up the day at the hospital. Bob will need surgery as soon as it can be scheduled. They can't do it here, so the doc is sending us to a specialist in Billings (about 150 miles east of here) if they can do it in the next few days or else we will travel further. It has to be done soon.

I delivered a couple quilts today and begged off taking any more. I am officially retired again from doing quilts for customers - this time for good I hope! I have only a two here from good friends to finish and one QOV which I enjoy doing. I love quilting and have some other ways to make my Miss Daisy and Hoke worth their keep.

I am saying prayers and sending love to the families of all of the soldiers at Fort Hood. That was such a terrible tragedy today. About 15 years ago, I did quite of bit of education consulting in Killeen, TX near Fort Hood and am familiar with that area. It just breaks my heart to know there is so much pain tonight in so many homes. God bless them all and God Bless America!