Mother Nature apparently didn't get Punxsutawney Phil's message that Spring has arrived.
The day before my trip we had 9" of snow in Boulder, and the two days I spent in Ohio with Sophie (filming 4 segments for Quilting Arts TV with Pokey Bolton) were also filled with lots of snowflakes.
Sunday night I had dinner with Kathy and Bob Price, and I got an update
on what our eQuilter donations are doing to fund further relief efforts
in the US and Guatemala.
Mission of Love continues to ship medical supplies for the Guatemala City hospital, and building supplies for the children's hospice in TecPan.
Today my friend Mark Lipinski finally got his kidney transplant, donated by his friend and neighbor Mary Eichler.
They both seem to have come through the surgery with flying colors, and are resting and recovering at the hospital tonight.
What a miracle…and what a relief!
I have a stepbrother whose life was saved with a kidney transplant (good
thing since he is the father of twin boys!) and another friend who is a
long-time heart transplant recipient.
Another friend's wife received a liver transplant and miraculously has
her life back.
So tonight I am just remembering and thanking those who have donated
(including Mary!) so that others might live.
We had some sad news in the quilting world today: Pat Campbell (known
for her Jacobean Applique) has left this world for the big quilting
hoop, after being cared for by her husband John for many years.
Pat was a well-loved quilt artist, teacher, fabric designer, and author;
and she will be missed.
Sophie and I decided to stay on the East Coast the rest of this Spring Break week, after leaving our Quilting Arts and Mission of Love friends in Ohio.
I lived in NYC for 6 years, and it has a special place in my heart.
It is much more pleasant to be here now, compared to the 80's when I lived in the East Village.
There are still many business closed and many residents displaced because of Hurricane Sandy – even more so outside of the city. If you have a quilt you'd like to donate to someone in need,
we'll make sure it is put into the hands of a hurricane victim very
quickly.
The quilt donations have slowed down but we are receiving more and more
urgent requests from groups for comfort quilts.
Many sincere thanks to all of you who have already sent in beautiful
quilts for this hurricane relief effort, and many thanks to Timeless Treasures for their distribution work.
As Sophie and I walked the Avenues of New York today, the skyscrapers lit up from the Golden Hour at the end of the day.
I saw many people on the street stop to admire the light on the skyline,
and many who took a photo of the dramatic colors reflecting off glass
and stone.
It could have been a sunset on Maui, the way the people on the street
responded.
It was a reminder that we all find Beauty, no matter where we are,
because Beauty feeds the Soul, and is stored in an inner archive of
creative inspiration.
To recharge my creativity batteries, I "go to my happy place", one of which happens to be Manhattan!
** This photo was taken in front of Grand Central Station, with the Chrysler Building in the background.
* SAQA & Andover Fabrics Call for Entries *
* Hurricane Sandy Quilt Relief Info *
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I understand your Gotcha Feeing. Two of my 3 children are adopted but from the States, New York actually. The two older are now 32 and 24. Time flies. My youngest was a surprise pregnancy to say the least and he is 23. All are treasured.
I love being in North Carolina but do miss the energy of New York. I was happy to see that people in the city have not lost the wonder for nature. I never do.I have taken many pictures of NY City’s architectural details for quilting inspirations.
It is great that Sophie shares your passion for quilting.
Thanks for your blogs.