For a number of years, I’ve been shuffling half-finished projects from one place to the other. It is time to get serious about finishing all of them. I don’t know if I will be successful in doing that or not, but I have a plan. I’ll give away those items that I no longer have an interest in completing, for one reason or another.
I’ve made a serious stab at starting, today. I have a 12 block friendship quilt that has signatures and messages from people I treasure. I used African theme fabrics in putting it together. Luckily, I had a piece of linen/cotton fabric in my rag bag that was just the right size, and I had a piece of batting that was just right. Pulling out a piece of African fabric from a shelf, I’ve now made a bias binding, and just have to finish sewing it on, making a label for the back, and deciding how and where I might like to hang it.
Reading the loving and warm messages of friends (and loved ones) was a good reminder to me that I have wonderful friends, all over the country and all over the world. I have been very blessed in this life, and I feel lucky, every day, for all that I have been able to do to make a difference in the lives of others.
Sometimes, it takes very little to resume being happy. When I learned that the deer have been back in the yard, eating perennial Sweet Peas, I was so pleased that they could find something worthwhile to eat in this bitter cold. When I see photos of my grandchildren, so adorable and healthy and learning, every day, I am happy that I have lived long enough to see all of that, given my various medical conditions. This afternoon, I listened to “Selected Shorts,” a program of short stories, read by professional actors. I have just submitted a short story of mine to a contest, and however it turns out, does not matter. What matters is that I did it!
Yes, the attitude of gratitude makes it easy to re-program one’s mind from the troubles of the world. Hearing music that I like always improves my mood and gives me a very happy feeling. The world is full of wannabees, nitwits, and people who continually make mistakes. Once one tries to understand them, it is easier to cultivate a feeling of forgiveness. They are “doing the best they can.” In the end, aren’t we all?
Back to my quilt!
Patricia Cummings
Pat, how lovely to share such blessings!! I hope to see a pic of your memory quilt with the African-themed fabrics. Everything to which you put your hand turns out so beautifully!
P.S. My dad’s name for nitwits was ‘dim bulbs’…!!!