It's Not Hard Beginner's Blocks
Weekly on Wednesdays, January 12- March 9
10:00-4:00
New to quilting? Haven’t sewn for years? Like a variety of blocks?
After some practice sewing consistent 1/4" seams, we'll construct two different blocks each week. Alternative methods and tools for creating and squaring up half-square triangles will be shown. If you join us weekly, you'll have enough blocks to create a unique quilt designed by Mary Jamison which will include Irish Chain blocks and other classic designs.
Can it really only be 25 days until Christmas. Seems I was just writing my December musing 2020 a few days ago. This year has flown by bringing about many changes for myself and the world around us. We have all spent too much time waiting for the world to get back to normal instead of embracing the normal that is around us.
While the nostalgic part of me wishes for days gone by, I have to come to grips with the reality of modern living. Kids no longer want a new sled or Cabbage Patch doll for Christmas. They want a new Xbox or some other electronic gadget that I have no clue what it does. Holidays don’t generally mean a trip to Grandma’s house to decorate the tree and make dozens of cookies to plate up and carry to friends and neighbors. Holidays more often are a trip to Disneyland, Hawaii or some other exotic place.
Wishing and dreaming for my idea of normal will not bring it back and for most people it is not what they want. There are still parts of the old days I hope that we can hold on and impart to our kids and grandkids. Christmas is not a season that starts with sales on Black Friday and ends with bowl games on New Year’s Day. Christmas is an attitude that needs to be present everyday all year round. It is an attitude of generosity and benevolence that extends beyond ourselves. It’s taking off our introspective glasses and looking at the world not ourselves. It’s giving of ourselves, our time and talents, not just our material wealth. How can I, as one single individual, make a difference that will benefit mankind.
As I remember Christmases from my past, it’s not the gifts that I remember nor the 40% off sale at Walmart. It was the time shared with my family, with my grandma making rum balls, even though she was a teetotaler. It was standing over a griddle with a Norwegian friend making lefsa. Spending hours making costumes for Christmas plays so that a small country school could put on a dynamic production for the whole community. The presents fade away but the memories are still there. Many of these things aren’t important on a large scale but they are important in that they shaped me into the person I am today.
What can we do today to help shape the world around us into a more caring society? How can we bring about a new normal that looks out and sees the need and responds, not looks out and says what can the world do for me?
As we embrace the normal that is today let us celebrate a season of new beginnings and joy.