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There are just so many directions to go and so little time – I think that’s why I get so “spread out.” It seems like I’m doing a lot of things – none of them quite as well as I would like. Family and quilting are my first loves – and the most fulfilling for me. Years ago, I read an article that asked, “if you only had six months to live, what would you do – and what would your legacy be?” That really impressed me and set my thoughts to action.

I would like for people to remember me as a nice person, but I also would like to leave something tangible that would possibly last over time – maybe even for 100+ years. That something could be – and will be for me – a quilt! I find that although I don’t consider myself to be artistic, I can still follow another person’s pattern – but incorporate my own color choices and add little extras – or in quilt language, embellishments – to make it my own creation. With quilts, as well as life, I prefer the traditional patterns to the newer contemporary pieces. Traditional quilts are made from patterns that have been passed down from one generation to another and have a sort of consistency to them that make them easily identifiable, predictable and “sturdy.”

With loved ones, you will find that there are certain things that one cannot see without thinking of a certain person. My Mom, who my husband calls QM (for the Queen Mother) is a “zebra nut”… she has zebra sheets/comforters, zebra candles, purses, shoes etc. – so, I will never see anything zebra that I don’t think about her. My Dad’s second career was “urban trapper” – he rescued raccoons and opossums out of attics and returned them to their natural habitat. I will never see a raccoon (or ‘possum) without thinking about him. So, I think it will be for myself and quilts; synonymous.

I have passed the love of quilting to my daughter-in-law, Tammy – who makes crib sized quilts for charity. She says that I am “responsible for her addiction,” and I think, happily, maybe I am. (You can read about Tammy’s MISSION at this web site – in People Making Significant Differences.)

My heart is for “senior citizens” and small children – and am always looking for projects to help either, or both. The old adage, “WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND” is alive and well, and hopefully when it comes around for my family – MOST of it will be GOOD!

I believe that we each get to choose the kind of day, week, month, life we are going to have by the way we respond to circumstances and the choices we make. I hope you choose to make yours joyous!

Luckily, I am married to my best friend – and that makes my world JUST RIGHT.