Warning: New Blogger on the Loose!

Well, here I am . . . writing my first blog post and feeling pretty nervous about it.  Thoughts are racing . . . Who do I think I am to blog about quilting? Will anyone actually read this? What is compelling me to do this? Is this silly?  But just as those negative thoughts hammer me, I can boldly answer them.

I am a quilter.  I have been quilting for over 20 years.  I love fabric, and quilting books, and notions, and pretty spools of thread, and gadgets, and patterns, and pin cushions, and quilting lingo, and most especially . . . the friendships that are formed through a shared passion for quilting.  I follow other quilters on Instagram and Facebook to be inspired and to be part of the joy and camaraderie people find in sharing their passion.   So yes, I have something to share, and I bet somebody will enjoy it!

My father is entering the end stage of Alzheimer’s disease.  It’s a sad, tough business to witness.  After visiting him yesterday, I walked to my car feeling the warmth of the early summer sunshine, with the scent of lilacs in the air, and I thought how lucky I am.  I am here.  I am able.  I can pursue my passions and I am lucky for it.  When I was young, my dad often said to me, “Run fast, jump high, do good!”  Years later, he repeated that mantra to my children.  We were and are a sports minded family, but we all know Grandpa’s go-to line meant a lot more.  It meant get after it . . . pursue your passions . . . do your best.

I will close with a photo of my dad holding a small quilt I made for him years ago.  Thanks, Dad, for always pushing me to go for it.

Thanks for listening (reading)!  Here’s hoping you’ll get carried away quilting often!

~Taunja