Juan’s quilt
I am pleased to say that we’ll be shipping a couple quilts to Puerto Rico tomorrow. The first is Juan’s quilt, pictured above – it is called “Circles of Love”. As you may recall, Juan and his partner, newpioneer, have faced a big disappointment, the loss of their restaurant to the poor economic climate. Then, Juan was diagnosed with cancer.
Boots just loves Juan’s quilt – this shows the backing
The announcement that a quilt was being made for him made a big, big difference in Juan’s outlook. But then, another shock came.
On Good Friday, horse thieves stole two mares from newpioneer and Juan – they loaded the horses into a trailer and drove off slowly so that a little filly, who would not fit into the trailer with her mother, would follow behind. Ana, the filly, was hit by a pick up truck and nearly killed. The thieves were caught and the horses returned but little Ana lost a lot of blood. The story did not end there – problems with a vet (who was fired and replaced) made the first night of Ana’s struggle to recover particularly awful for her parents -- the equine one and the humans. She cried the whole time and was lucky to survive. This was very hard on everyone – particularly Juan who was extremely upset. I don’t need to tell you that someone who is undergoing chemo and radiation does not need such anxiety and heartache.
Ana, lying down on her breakfast and feeling ever so much better!
My darling sister – who is named Ann and who loves horses – had an idea. Why not make a little message quilt for Ana the filly, to help her heal and to comfort her daddies? So we did. RiaD quickly gathered some messages and we made this:
Ana’s horse blanket
Newpioneer will put straps on to hold the blanket in place. The checkerboard part will cover her back and sides – the blue “tabs” will wrap across her breast, under her neck, and buckle together. Ana will be the best dressed filly in Puerto Rico!
pattern provided by newpioneer
We did not take up a collection for Ana’s blanket but if you would like to tip us for the work, here is a PayPal link. Ann and I are always grateful for your support of what we do.
Juan’s quilt
We have two projects on the board. One is a queen sized bed blanket for MA Liberal’s mother. There will be no messages on it – the lady suffers from Alzheimer’s. The other is Charles Curtis Stanley’s quilt – which will be a companion to Kitsap River’s quilt as he is her caregiver. I need twelve more messages for Charles – if you would be so kind as to leave a message below, I would be very grateful. So far, we have messages from:
othniel and austex54
cfk in the Thumb of Michigan
Kitsap River
spedwybabs
Princesspat
Miss Blue
kfred
slinkerwink
Noweasels
Ekaterin
Ramara
Ridemybike
Bumblebums
BlackSheep1
Timroff
Emmasnacker
Cali Scribe
Angie in WA State
Sarbec
KelleyRN2
JaxDem
Vacationland
sobermom
Brandi Snyder
Khloemi
texasmom
Louisiana 1976
Lorikeet
bigjacbigjacbigjac
exmearden
Otteray Scribe
RiaD
Chacounne
newpioneer
GlowNZ
Timbuk3
mrsgoo
Thebluecrayon
Aji
scribe
MsGrin
JanetT in MD
jnhobbs
wonderful world
FarWestGirl
Triciawyse
Dallasdoc
Boadicea
Mattman
Ooooh/shakti
alethea
Catte Nappe
ulookarmless
flumptytail
Kitsap River’s sister
Kitsap River’s mom
Here are some of the messages to give you an idea of the kind of thing we are looking for:
Thank you, Charles Your love and care keeps Kitsap River vibrant and more of herself during this challenging time. Blessings to both of you! MsGrin
There is no greater gift than life
and the love that makes life possible
to offer comfort and support on the rough days
and share the joy and pleasures on the good days
Blessings on you for the love and life you share.
JanetT in MD
Charles, you are defining what love really means. All the best to you and Kitsap River. jnhobbs
Plato said that 'every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.' May your song and Kitsap's rise ever more beautifully together. wonderful world
The base of the pillar is the foundation and supports all life. To be able to be that for another is an enormous gift, for both.
Peace, FarWestGirl
When you do not have a fur baby to snuggle up with and your conditions make your blue, please take and wrap yourself in this blanket and know that you are loved by the people on DK. We love you very much and we take you into our warm embrace, just as you are wrapped up in this blanket.
The Pootie Queen
triciawyse
Goldie inspects austex54's quilt top
We also still need some messages for Lorikeet and Dr. Lori – each fighting cancer. I will post a diary later in the week for each.
Keith Olbermann’s quilt – no, we haven’t heard anything about it yet
Here is a list of community quilts made to date:
othniel (cellulitis and ensuing complications)
exmearden (cancer of heart and lung)
MsSpentyouth (brain tumor)
Moe99 (lung cancer)
Michelle Caudle (ovarian cancer)
BFSkinner (lupus)
Kitsap River (waiting for kidney donor)
Frederick Clarkson (blood clots)
Dreaming of Better Days (lymphoma)
one bite at a time (lost house and belongings to fire)
Timroff (cellulitis)
Sol Fed Joe (multiple cancers and health problems)
Brubs (AIDS, immune reconstitution syndrome)
rserven (gall bladder infection with dangerous complications)
grndrush (brain tumor)
ImpeachKingBushII (needs liver transplant)
andsarahtoo (lupus)
Frank Cocozzelli (muscular dystrophy)
luvsathoroughbred (breast cancer)
Predictor (stroke and HIV)
Theodore Olbermann, RIP
austex54 (caregiver to othniel)
cskendrick (antibiotic resistant infection)
Keith Olbermann (caregiver to father)
Juan (cancer)
Ana (a young horse belonging to Juan, hit by truck)
cskendrick’s quilt
Future quilts are planned for:
Melody Townsel (caregiver to father)
dadanation (AIDS)
MA Liberal (caretaker to her mother who has dementia)
Louisiana1976 (fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, depression)
ramara (cancer survivor)
Ellinorianne (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia)
UnaSpensor (Lyme disease)
ulookarmless (cancer, stroke, heart problems, arm amputation)
FLRealist (recovering from a kidney transplant)
Namaste
Goldie, quilt inspector