August 26, 2007 – I have been seeing pictures of women in the Middle East in the gray and tan heat of rocks and sand. I am so grateful. What a blessing to be living in a place where I can turn on the furnace or the air conditioning and create my own weather. My fabric is dry and pleasant, not damp or dry and dusty. I can sew unencumbered by a muggy atmosphere or a gritty whirlwind or a dim light. This is the best of all possible worlds.
August 19, 2007 – Last spring the world was fresh and green with promise. But now in August, it is golden: golden sunshine, golden wild mustard, golden corn. The gold will turn in a few weeks to the deep red of sumac and oak and maple leaves.There will be the riot of red chrysanthemums. And then there will be the quiet of winter setting in. Every time the seasons turn, we have a new miracle. Color is such a lovely gift.
August 12, 2007 – It’s August and State Fair time. Trey, my great grandson, reminded me that I have to get his quilt to the Fair for judging. I’m as excited about it as he is. The entire family will meet at the Creative Activities Building to see how the quilt looks hanging up.
If I win a ribbon on it, I admit I will be thrilled. If I don’t, I’ll be a good sport. But I will feel very sad for the judge who didn’t understand what a wonderful, prize-winning quilt it is. I loved making it and. know that having Trey love it is the real blue-ribbon-best-most-important part of it all.
August 5, 2007 – Today I leave to go to teach at the John Campbell Folk School in the North Carolina mountains. I’ve been cutting fabric samples, printing patterns, and reviewing my notes in preparation. My bags are almost packed. I have much I want to share.
The very best part of of this trip will be the people I meet. Quilting people are always gracious, enthusiastic and talented. I will come home again with pithy problems to solve, new challenges to try, wonderful memories, and lasting friendships.
August 1, 2007 – I’ve heard from so many of you about being chosen as the 2008 honoree for the Quilters’ Hall of Fame in Marion, Indiana. ( http://www.quiltershalloffame.net/celebration.html ) I’ve known about it for quite a while. The secret has been so hard to keep.
This is all very exciting and humbling and somewhat amazing, to be included in a list of quilters I have admired for so long. I keep wondering if someone will suddenly realize they made a mistake… that their finger slipped on the list of names when they were making their decision. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to everyone who has been so supportive. Thank you.
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