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What will I be doing in 2048? Will I still be quilting? Oh, I do hope so! These two baby quilts came to me by way of a friend a few weeks ago. Nell still visits the nursing home where her mother lived for years until she passed away a few months ago. Many of the residents are like extended family to Nell; including one dear lady, a quilter, who is in her mid-nineties! She had hand quilted each and every motif in these precious panels but needed assistance with the binding, she doesn't have a sewing machine. My friend asked if I could help, I was honored. Nell's friend requested that I leave the hand work for her to complete, I was more than happy to comply! I stitched the bindings in place all the while marveling at her tiny stitches and admiring this lady's commitment. And so, I began to think... what will I be doing when I'm in my mid-nineties? Still quilting? God willing, I hope to be making baby quilts; happily preparing for the next generation! 
Yes, they came and visited my sewing space; the Home Extension Club of a neighboring county. They were completely delightful... so interested in, and complimentary of, my quilts-- it was enough to make one blush! Let me tell you about one of these ladies, she was remarkable! She's in the front row, holding her purse; 95 years young! She sat on the sofa with the sweetest smile on her face the entire time. The others in her group asked questions and talked about their own quilts and their quilting ancestors. They told historical tales about the settling of their community and all the while she sat, smiling and nodding. When it was time for the group to depart they left one by one, but she held back. She took my arm and whispered to me that she was blind and deaf, both of these ailments brought on by advancing age, but that she'd had a wonderful time. She loved getting out and she was so very thankful that she'd been able to attend. She hoped to come back again! I was amazed. Imagine this... blind and deaf, every reason in the world NOT to go out anymore. Staying home has to be easier... but no, she gets up every day, gets dressed, and gets on with the business of living; she is celebrating life! I'm so glad she came last week, and I do hope that she does come back!
This one solitary item, a ceramic Cocker Spaniel named "Ginger", has been with me as long as I can remember. If I recall the story correctly, my Mother received this as a congratulatory gift when I was born. I don't know who assigned the moniker. The back of the dog is hollow and open, a "planter", if you can call it that. I don't ever remember it bearing a plant but suspect it may have, originally. Ginger always stood at my childhood bedroom door, serving as a doorstop, although I feel certain our floors were level and it didn't actually hold the door open. When I left home Ginger was packed up with my few belongings and accompanied me to my first apartment, eventually she became a fixture in my married home, standing sentry at my daughter's bedroom door from the day I carried her home from the hospital. Today Ginger resides in the bathroom adjoining my Studio, at the door (where else?), ever vigilant. I can't think of any other single item that speaks home to me as loudly, or for as long, as this ceramic dog. She's aged beautifully, my constant companion, she's made eleven moves with me; none the worse for the wear!
Royal Copley china was made by the Spaulding China Company of Sebring, Ohio, from 1939 to 1960. The figural planters and the small figurines, especially those with Art Deco designs, are of great collector interest.
It's a frequent question around Chez Goodneedle, I can never find my glasses! It all began innocently enough, approximately ten years ago. I remember cursing the needle manufacturers... "what's wrong with these needles, you can't even get the thread through the eye, so much for quality control"! My husband smiled knowingly and laughed under his breath. It was a gradual process from there, I continued, however, to be in denial. I well remember that Sunday morning, sitting in church when my own bulletin appeared a bit fuzzy (church office printer on the blink, low on ink?) but I couldn't help notice that the bulletin of the woman sitting one pew ahead of me appeared to be sharply in focus. Hmmm... Yep, a pair of reading glasses followed, from the pharmacy, they did the trick; for a while. A second, third and fourth pair made their way into the house and occupied every room over the next few years. I found I needed them more and more, not just for reading or sewing; ironing, peeling potatoes, folding clothes all were preceded by the glasses-hunt. Well, you guessed it, the "have you seen my glasses" question won't be asked around here anymore, in a week to ten days they should be on my nose! The eye doctor confirmed my suspicions yesterday, I need full-time glasses. My close up correction is significant but I was also told I need a slight distance correction as well. It was a little hard to hear; "you're officially old now", that's what my inner-voice was shouting in my ear! Looking on the bright side though, I can't help but think of the time I'll save without searching for my glasses, that must mean I'll get more quilts done, right? Oh, and yes, by the way, the needle manufacturers can breathe a sigh of relief... they're off the hook!
