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Moments and Memories


You remember that TV commercial..."cotton, it's the fabric of our lives"?

Because my primary job is helping with our chicken houses, (we are Broiler Growers for Tyson's), I get a two week "time off period" every eight weeks or so. (My favorite part of the job) That allows me to catch up here at the house or go on a trip. Last week I traveled to Bastrop, LA. (Place of my birth.) Mom and I went to my Aunt Marcile's for several days of catching up and photo looking.

What I want to share with you is our time with the quilting club!

Every Wednesday, at 9:00am, this group of women gather to hand stitch a quilt. They quilt for themselves and for anyone that wants to pay to get their heirloom finished by hand. The money raised is used to send children with cancer to camp in the summer! They take a sack lunch or plan a day of pot luck.

Normally, I don't have a problem with the sin of covetousness. However, I must say that as I sat and enjoyed all I witnessed, I wanted what they have! The day, the place, the time, the people. It was awesome.

My Mom is the one on the right side with her knitting. They offered for her to quilt but she declined. She felt it had been too many years and her stitches might not suffice the scrutiny of such a group of experts!

Look at the detailed work in this Calendar quilt. Each month meticulously hand appliqued.

You notice all of the tubs organized on the walls? Their "place of quilting" is the "barn" of the homeowner. It was her husbands work shop and when he died she converted it into a crafting/quilting spot. She decorates her entire house for every holiday and these tubs hold her collections. I have to tell you that I just kept walking around with my mouth hanging open at the stuff! The antiques and treasures she has are just jaw dropping! And the organization is a story all by itself!
This is my Aunt Marcile! She is eighty-five years young and still going strong! Her husband was my Dad's brother. We have always been especially close to her and her family and it is always a joy to go spend time at her house.So many of my special memories involve her!

What did I do that day? 

The best thing of all. I sat in the middle. Between two quilts. Between two groups of women. All with years of lifetime experiences. And I listened, to the beautiful hum of voices. I heard tales of everything from gout to cooking, children, Grand-children, who went to school with whom, where and when. I heard their voices and voices from the past. Women that are no longer with them in body but in spirit.

It was an awesome day and I am so very thankful for it!