Yesterday, I spent between six and eight hours repairing all the worn spots, tears, and loose stitching on the dogs’ quilt that covers the daybed. This is one of their favorite places to hang out, especially if Tom and I are in the office at the same time.
I’m not sure what compels me to hold on to this quilt and keep “fixing” it. It wasn’t an expensive or high-quality quilt to start with, but it’s been with us through several homes and our entire dog family: Pete and Stevie; Margot and Guinness; and Anime, Delta, Jack, and Eva. They love the dog stairs that save wear and tear on their backs and legs. There are dog stairs in three rooms of our house for that reason, and they can be moved as needed. It’s not called PEOPLE Hall; it’s Houndstooth Hall because the dogs are so much of our home’s heart and energy.
I’ve decided, however, that on future occasions when I feel crafty or ambitious, I’ll cut squares from my fabric collection and hem their edges on the sewing machine to make patches of various sizes. Next time I undertake this mending task, I’ll sew those patches over the badly worn or torn spots. I’m not interested in symmetry or patterns here. I just want to extend the life of their favorite sleeping quilt.
Today’s agenda for me: more yard, carport, and patio cleanup. We have entered The Pollening time of year in Houston, so I might try wearing a mask to head off some of the sneezing. This was actually something a doctor and pharmacist first recommended when I was a freshman in college, and back then, the masks were of fabric filters and plastic. They really helped, and maybe those years are the reason I didn’t think it was a big deal to wear simpler, softer masks during the pandemic. I still use a mask in public spaces. [shrug]
Bonus photos: Delta says hello, and she misses Jim, her friend who named her.
Yesterday was the 70th birthday of a coworker who’s still doing amazingly well at work. It was also the birthday of a new intern just out of college. And, when I look through that all-time-dog-comforter-quilt, all I can think of next, would become a pillow fort hideaway.
Felicitations to your coworkers!
I wonder how the dogs would like a pillow fort. We have a dog stroller that’s enclosed that we only tried a few times, because they didn’t seem to enjoy it. I feel like they might have the same reaction to a tent or something similar.
I expect that quilt is as comforting to the hounds as it is to you. It’s familiar and holds a lot of memories.
You’re so right. And now that I know how I want to do future mendings, it seems like a fun ongoing project.