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Monday, November 04, 2019

When Life Falls to Pieces–PIECE!


This was my yesterday.  But it isn’t my way to just handle the events of the weekend, but any time that my thoughts seem to be running in every direction.  Sleep patterns awry (No thanks to “fall back” time on top of international travel upheaval) sometimes the best way for me to deal with things is to just get up and get going.

The body clock wins, no matter what the actual time clock says.

When there is no sleep to be had, the best thing for me to do is get a bit creative.

Before I go any further – I do want to acknowledge all of the wonderful messages and heartfelt comments in regards to Sadie’s passing.  It hit us unbelievably hard, but in the end there really is no avoiding it, is there? 

I just wish we could have done more for her to ease her suffering in her last hour.  She is at peace now.  Our hearts are raw. We weren’t ready to say goodbye, we weren’t prepared for it. But can you ever be?


The thing about fur-babies – they teach us so much about our own lives and our own mortality. None of us our guaranteed another day.  Things happen.  So this is a lesson to us to live life to the fullest.  To keep wagging our tails today no matter what happened yesterday.  To always be grateful.  

Make today count MORE than what our hopes for tomorrow are.  Life passes far too quickly. Love hard, love always. Forgive quickly, and love some more.


We love you so much Sadie!


So, we pick up the pieces, sew them together and keep going.

I played thread roulette, and I won!

Just a foot or so of thread left on the spool.  I used the rest of it to join lengths of binding together before tossing the remaining 3 inches.  Thank you for serving me so well, spool!


It was in the long arm by afternoon.

And it wasn’t until I had advanced the little quilt sufficiently to see the orientation of the mittens that I realized I mounted it with the bow to my right instead of my left – which meant – the hearts I was quilting are upside down.

Well.  Yes.  My heart IS upside down right now, so be it.


Waiting for binding – hopefully today.

This is “Warm Hands, Warm Heart" and if you look closely you will see that there are some paw print fabrics in the round of blue squares that surrounds the center embroidery.  I put those in there special.

The rest of the scraps came from my Scrap User’s System boxes of squares and strips.

I will be teaching this project to my Quiltville Goes to Bavaria travelers in just a few weeks, and when I return it will become a PDF pattern download in the Quiltville Store.

And this is also a great time to let you know that our TWIGA giraffe stitchery wall hanging quilt PDF pattern is ready for purchase!


















Phone/Tablet users - please download to a REAL COMPUTER first so you can save the file in a place you can find it. Then navigate to the file, click to open and print. At this point you can also transfer to your mobile device. Know where your files go BEFORE you download them!

Twiga is Swahili for Giraffe, and I designed this little project for my 2019 Quiltville Goes to Kenya traveler. The response has been so great that I am making it available to everyone as a digital PDF pattern download.

Instructions include the Giraffe image to trace, or print on to your fabric, or use the Stick'n Stitch overlay as I did with my students. Info included in the pattern.
Patchwork borders using a selection of aboriginal fabrics make this project sing!

Other items you might want to consider: My
Essential Triangle Tool  makes cutting those half-square and quarter-square triangles so easy from strips!

This pattern uses
Hemming chenille needles size 24.
Print the Twiga Image from your PDF pattern on to
Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch instead of having to trace the image by hand to the fabric with a light box and a pencil. 

Stick 'n Stitch stabilizer combines the convenience of pressure-sensitive adhesive with the flexibility of a water soluble stabilizer. It is a printable temporary self-adhesive, fabric-like stabilizer that is ideal for getting your hand embroidery, punch-needle, cross stitch, quilting or other patterns onto your project fabric.

Stick 'n Stitch can also be used as a topper or backing which looks, feels and behaves like fabric during embroidery or when used as a design pattern. Perfect for any reversible project since when it's rinsed away, no stabilizer remains on either side. All Sulky stabilizers are acid and lead free. There are 12 8 1/2’’ x 11’’ printer-friendly sheets in each pack.

And because we've had so much fun with the half-price sale of the Punkin Patch Table Runner pattern sale -I've decided to run one pattern a month at half price as well! For the month of November, you can find my Garlic Knots digital pattern 50% off in the Quiltville Store!





For the month of November only -

Garlic Knots PDF Pattern $4.00!

No Coupon Needed!










And I think that brings me to now. For now. And there is something I was going to do before all of this loss of Sadie took over my life. Our Quilty Box Winners! We've got to draw them!




If you missed the original post – find it HERE!


Who is 278 out of 5078 entries?


Karen Naylor! 

The Quilty Box Classic is YOURS!


And the Quilty Box Mini is headed to:


In search of entry 4094!


Sandra Smith!

Ladies, I have sent emails to both of you – please respond with your mailing addresses so I can have the kind folks at Quilty Box send your goodies off to you ASAP!

There will be more Gift-Away fun coming up soon.


Funny Story.

Charlie Brown tree in a Lowe’s bucket!

In our area of Southwestern Virginia, the largest industry by far are Christmas tree farms.  It’s HUGE out here.  The trees grow well in the hills and mountain areas.  They are a beautiful sight to behold.  And starting the week of Halloween, tree harvesting is in full swing.  Large trucks and trailers LOADED to the brim with trees pass by Quiltville Inn and traverse the highways back and forth over winding mountain roads – you can’t escape them. 

And if you are lucky – a truck will have lost a tree on one of the tight curves.  

We were on our way back from taking Sadie’s body to the vet where they will take care of her cremation (Oh, how it still stings to say these words!) when we found this poor little tree in the middle of the highway.  We pulled over and picked it up.

The fragrance in the back of the van was so wonderfully pungent all of the rest of the way home to the cabin.  We NEVER do anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but I felt like this is our Sadie Tree.  So it is in a bucket of water until I can get home to Wallburg and dig up some lights and decorations.  I haven’t had a REAL tree in more than 20 years.

And it seems that we have started a new tradition.   Road Kill Tree saving for Christmas.  Why not?


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

This is so so so important. How often are our perceptions formed by what someone else has said. We never really know what anyone is going through on the inside, so it is so important not to judge anyone by what other people say.

The only opinion that really matters is your own, based on your own experience.

I believe in walking in one another’s shoes.  Do you?

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone.



60 comments:

  1. "Road Kill tree" - hilarious! Made my day.

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    1. Ha, ha, ha. "Road Kill Tree." Love it!!

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  2. we always had a real tree...it was the aroma of christmas...one thing i miss terribly here in institutional housing...candles verboten also so have to settle for balsam pillows...

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  3. Sadie has made sure you got a tree to help you smile again when you see it. She wouldn’t want you sad. She will always have a place in your heart. Prayers of comfort for your family.

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    1. April those such nice words Her little tree is there to remind you Thank You Sadie

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  4. I'm really liking this new direction you are taking with embroidery combined with piecing. On another note, I have to thank you for your Crooked Courthouse Steps tutorial. I haven't felt a whole lot like sewing with a machine since my husband died in June. This has gotten me on a whole new venture, having already made five quilt tops and starting on the sixth one later today. All to be donated to a local children's organization. However, I have to take issue with you on one thing. The scrap basket does not seem to be getting emptied. Those little devils are apparently procreating when the lights are off!

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    1. I am so sorry for your loss, Sweet Mary Ellen, my friend! I am so happy that piecing also provides healing and direction for you!

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  5. I THANK you for all you do... too funny about the road kill Christmas 🎄 tree...I would have picked it up too😜...As I opened my Facebook today my fist memory was of my two Beagle brothers that I had from puppy age until they were 13 & 15 yrs old..Today would have been their birthdays 😓💔. The biggest one was Rudy and he passed away in his sleep at 13.. the runt of the litter was Petie...he passed unexpectedly and tragically at 15... your Sadie reminded me of him sooo much so I guess that’s why it upset me so much when I heard the news. STILL DOES...Thank you for today’s post..I’m gonna take your advice and make the most of today👏🏻👍🏻💪🏼🥰

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    1. They hold such an important place in our hearts and lives. Wishing you sweet remembrances today.

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  6. I love the new blog header photo with Sadie, a beautiful quilt and an inviting porch. And happy about that tree!

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  7. "Sadie's Tree". I love that. Bonnie, I hope (in time) you are able to hang a well-loved picture of Sadie in a prominent location at Quiltville Inn. IMHO - she should be so honored. And, btw, this year is the first Mystery Quilt I have decided I could do, but I'm changing the name of MY quilt from "Frolic" - to "Bluebells for Sadie". Hope you don't mind. Loving thoughts to you and yours.

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    1. I love both of your suggestions, GaMema! What better way to honor and remember Sadie as a founding member of Quiltville Inn! She's been there since the beginning, its conception! Along with the personal remembrance of this year's Mystery Quilt. Yes, Bonnie, I think you ought to change the name, because most of us that join in on your mystery journeys have met Sadie vicariously through your blog.

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  8. Oh, Bonnie - just LOVING the new header picture of Miss Sadie on the front porch ! Beautiful and a great tribute to her. I have read everyones comments again from last post, crying again, she was so loved. The head shot of her before the sewing machine picture is great too. Poor Beanie and Max will be lost without her as well. Take care - we all love you.

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    1. Pam, I was thinking the same thing.

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  9. Bonnie, I love your Blog photo of Quiltville Inn porch with Sadie! How heartwarming! Thank you so much for offering Twiga! I fell in love with it from the moment I saw you working on it in your blog posts.

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  10. ...........Hugs,....just hugs

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  11. I am a very stoic person - almost *never* cry - but I teared up when I read of Sadie's passing. Your arms were a blessing to her. Can't help but think it would be even harder for you had you been traveling. So glad you held her until the end. I have to believe it was a comfort to her.

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  12. Love the paw print fabric you put in the mittens wall hanging and the upsidown heart are fitting at this time. Loved to see your posts about Sadie and she will be sorely missed by everyone.
    Thank you so much for rescuing the little tree and giving us a chuckle at roadkill trees.
    Love and quilty hugs
    Anne xxx

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  13. I am so sorry to hear about Sadie. She was such a sweet and beautiful, faithful friend. The ache you feel without her is a true testament to the unbreakable bond you made by sharing each other's lives. You were with her at the end and I'm sure that eased her passing. No doubt about it.

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  14. You take stiching your Heart into a Quilt in a new way. Big Hugs!! I love the idea of dedicating this years Mystery to Sadie Jane from GeMemma. Hope you can get that body clock back in sync soon.

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  15. I actually like the hearts "upside down" on the mitten piece. It's like the hearts are falling like snowflakes. And now, I'm just a little jealous of your "road kill Christmas tree". That should bring a smile whenever you see it.

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  16. Love your banner and the little lost tree. Hope that the remainder of the year is a happier one. My prayers for you and your family.

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  17. What a lovely surprise to see the sweet photo of Sadie in the header this morning. Even if her last hour was tough, I hope it brings some comfort to think that she was healthy, active, and happy right up until then.

    The outer border of 'Warm Hands, Warm Heart' - ever since Easy Street, I will always think of those units as 'sitting turkeys.' :)

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  18. ahhh Bonnie, so much wisdom in your post today. Tears in my eyes for so many reasons. But yhank you for sharing.
    Will be excited to get WarmHands Warm Hearts....I have children that need that.....here goes another WIP to add to the list!!

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  19. I am so glad you were not in Kenya when Sadie passed. You would have been devastated not to get to say goodbye and hold her one last time.

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  20. I´m so sorry for your loss Bonnie. But I know for sure, that Sadie have had a wonderful life with her family.
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente

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  21. So sorry to read of the passing of your lovely Sadie. She was a true friend. I'm glad you rescued that wee tree; I'm thinking it was sent by Sadie from across that bridge. Hugs and keep on piecing! Thanks for all you do.

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  22. Good to hear from you. We all will miss Sadie. She was a part of our life just as you are. ((Hugs))

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  23. A gift from Sadie to lighten your hearts. (There are no coincidences)

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  24. I think a print of your new header framed and hung on Quiltville Inn's porch would be wonderful. I know Sadie was a big help in getting everything ready for visitors so far, so it would be especially appropriate.

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  25. oh it is definitely Sadie's tree!! She wants you to smile again and she made sure you do. Every time I start crying thinking of my Marley (and it is more than two years now...) I remember how upset he would be every time I cry (gentle giant would run from wherever he was if he heard me crying and want to lick my face...wouldn't stop until I stop!), so I stop and find some good photo/memory of him that will make me smile. Sadie is making sure you will look at that tree and smile. <3

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  26. Dear Bonnie...you touch so many of our lives with all your lovely talking about your own family and animals it is so very heartwarming!!! Sadies' passing brought tears to my eyes as I was feeling your pain and loss so much. Much love being sent to you and your family..i know she will be missed so much. HUGS....BIG hugs to you all!

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  27. Our pups, especially rescues, really show us every day what unconditional love looks like. If people were more like dogs in that way, the world would be a better place. Love the picture of Sadie on the porch. I'm going to miss pictures of her walking with you and enhancing the beauty of your quilts. Your tree was definitely a gift from Sadie.

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  28. Bonnie, I don't think the hearts are upside down they are going up like Sadie's did to you. The paw prints are a good memorial to a very loving and loved fur baby. Please take time for yourself and enjoy the memories of her. Love the Charlie Brown Christmas tree and the chuckle I got from the "Road kill tree" name. Thank you for sharing Sadie with us.

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  29. So very sorry for your loss. Sadie will come to you when you least expect it. You are so loving and open that you will see her when she arrives to check in on you. The world is mysterious in how it operates. Thank you for sharing the joy that is out there for the taking.

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  30. Well, I don’t know if I’d call it a “road kill” tree... I’d rather think of it as...you lost a precious life...now you have saved a precious life! That little Charlie Brown tree will have a fighting chance now!!

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  31. I have been thinking about Sadie and you all weekend. Seeing her in your posts just made everything sweeter. So glad you were able to blog today and the little tributes to Sadie all through it. Hope it helped you as much as it did us. Hugs

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  32. So sorry about your little doggie friend. I enjoyed when Sadie was in your photos. Sending hugs of comfort your way.

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  33. A Tree Saved for Christmas. There's a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie in there. Write that script and fill the set with quilts and it will be a success.

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  34. Bonnie I want to send my love and hugs to you for your loss, and extend thanks for your beautifully written words. My husband and I lost our sweet pup last week and it hurts so badly. He experienced much of the same your sweet Sadie did, in fact we awoke to him have a seizure at 1am as well. Reading your story somehow made me feel less alone, and yet so so sad for you all. We are focusing on all the amazing moments we had with him and choosing to believe we'll get to see him again someday. Sending you and your family lots of love and good wishes for healing. With love, K

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  35. You might take a good look at the little tree & think about planting it in your yard in memory of Sadie. It might just grow & be beautiful.

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  36. Bonnie am so sorry to hear of Sadie's passing and will miss reading of her hikes with you! I ,too, truly believe that the
    little tree was put in your path by Sadie! Be well and be safe in your next travel adventures!

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  37. Sadie's tree - she made sure you found it. Will you be planting it in your woods at some stage, I wonder. Permanent memory. Nothing quite like the smell of pine, sadly we stopped and bought an artificial one when my daughter was born, mainly because our crawling son hurt himself so much on the fallen spines that worked their way into the carpet. But she is 27 now and that tree still looks as good as the day we bought it. A very pretty one - and I can't see anything like it nowadays - they don't come close! I still love it but it can't give out the smell. Apart from 27 years of dust - ewwww!

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  38. Your Sadie tree even looks like it has a waggely tail. So appropriate. xxx

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  39. Sadie would not want you to be sad, even though it is inevitable, that you will miss her. You gave her the best home ever for as long as she needed it.

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  40. Crying again this morning reading and feeling your loss of Sadie. You do realize you did exactly what she wanted you to do. She waited patiently for you to come home so she could leave this world in your arms.

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  41. Hi, Bonnie, like another reader has already said, I am really happy that you are starting to combine quilting and embroidery. Embroidery was the first needlecraft I learned; my mom and grandma taught me when I was about 8-9 years old, and I have loved making things ever since. I have just recently gotten back into embroidery/cross stitch, and love your patterns. I already ordered the Twiga pattern and am looking forward to the mitten pattern, too.

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  42. Grieving the loss of Sadie. Thankful for the wonderful life you shared with her. Rescuing creation is what we are all called to do, from fur-babies to trees. Your heart is beautiful.

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  43. Your stream of thought sounds like mine after the loss of my Pierro.
    That little break or tear in your heart can last for ever. So so so much love.

    I love the quilt with the falling hearts, and paws.
    I am so glad you saved the tree.
    I really enjoy reading your daily stories, but this one felt like it was like my story, Hurting hearts. Don't push it away.
    You remain in my prayers, Bonnie

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  44. I held my Daddy as he passed and I held my Momma's hand as she passed. But the hardest thing I have ever done is hold my little Georgia as she crossed that Rainbow bridge. She was 18 and she too had a seizure and maybe a stroke. There was no pain for her. I sat in the rocker and held her as she passed. We buried her quite illegally between my Dad and my Mom in her dog bed. I like it that they are all together. Thank you, Bonnie. You have no idea how many people you are helping each day with your blogs and sharing you life so intimately helps me and others more than you know. xoxox

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  45. So so sorry you've lost Sadie. Always enjoyed posts about her. I can get weepy just reading about her & thinking about my 7 yr old chihuahua. We Love our fur babies. New header with Sadie really looks nice!

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  46. Don't be so hard on yourself. Of course you wanted to do more to ease her discomfort but you were there at home with her. The timing could have been so much worse - it would have been even more devastating had you been out of state or out of the country.

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  47. After Christmas, when you are done with your Sadie tree, cut a slice off the trunk, put an eye hook on it and decoupage her picture on it. You will be able to put her on all your Christmas trees for ever after.
    So sorry for your loss. I lost my 27 year old horse just a few months ago. What a hole they leave in your heart.

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  48. Thank you for rescuing the Sadie Tree! I'm sure she is looking down with approval...

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  49. I am late with this but it is still heart felt: I am so brokenhearted for you over your loss of Sadie Jane. I loved her and I didn't even know her.
    I am so very sorry. So sad.

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  50. Bonnie, I will be attending your Sunday class on Smith Mountain Morning, so am eager to meet you! I have never used the Tri-Rec rulers so did a practice session last night. A piece of cake. Safe travels. See you in Shipshewana!

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  51. Our hearts feel with you as you adjust to the loss of Sadie. WE were on a notification list when cats with Feline Leukemia were surrendered to be put down. We fostered over a dozen cats in 6 years - allowing them to have nice comfortable active lives till they succumbed. Yet each one was a major loss. You have great memories and many photographs. I have a silly, silly cartoon cat quilt top under way.

    And thank you very much for deciding to have monthly sales of patterns. I am printing out my copy of Garlic Knots as I write.

    And thank you for all that you do to help us grow as we quilt.

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  52. Love the Sadie Tree. Special tree for a special loved one whether it be for our fur babies or human. We have a garden dedicated to our 19 yr old pup. Our son's school planted a tree in his memory. Our fur babies are so much a part of our family. Thank you for sharing your stories of Sadie through the years. She always made me smile when you posted a cute pic of her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours thr this difficult time.

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  53. OH Bonnie- I am so Sorry for you and your whole family! This morning is the first I have had a chance to read any posts all moth. I pull them up, leave them open, but do not have time to read them. The passing of a pet is a tragedy, as they truly are family members. Even though it is expected, it is still very hard to take when it actually happens. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    I have a kitty that I rehomed a little over a year ago that is an indoor/outdoor cat. She left for a day of foraging 8 days ago, and she has not been back. She normally is not gone more than a day or two, but has been gone 5 days once. I am sick and worried about her, as the bears are not hibernating, there are cayotes, lynx, etc out now that are hungry; plus it is now trapping season. So, I just hope and pray she returns home.

    My prayers are with you, Take time to grieve this super huge loss.


    Donna
    Kasilof, AK
    Love you always for what you do.

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  54. Bonnie:
    I Love your Sadie Tree, and I hope you have many more tree Saving episodes in coming years that you can use to remember and honor sweet Sadie!

    Donna
    Kasilof, AK
    Where it was finally dry today and the Sun shone, so that meant time to get outside and get more outdoor/getting ready for winter things completed; and I did!

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