This week I went to a concert and multimedia presentation with Brian Cox as the guest speaker. He is an English physicist, professor, and has been described as the natural successor for the BBC’s scientific programming by David Attenborough. The huge backdrop screen at London’s Royal Opera House was filled with animated images of exploding stars, zooming nebula, and fields of stars. Cox blew our minds with incomprehensible numbers about the Universe, Time, and our short existence as humans, in this context of infinity. At the end of the 2 hr 40 min event, he challenged us to justify our existence on this one precious planet. I think it is safe to say that everyone in the audience got the message. We are meant to be stewards of the Earth, and we are not doing a very good job.
After spending a couple days in London, this evening I have just arrived by train in Birmingham for the Festival of Quilts. If you follow my emails and my photo pages, you know this is a show I have enjoyed attending for many years. I love to come here to photograph the quilts from all over the UK and Europe. There are so many styles celebrating so many cultures, and the attendees are passionate about our beloved art and craft. Tomorrow is the award ceremony, and I will be there to cheer on the winners.
My flight from Denver to London was relatively empty. We all had a row to ourselves, and many were able to lay down and sleep. That is so unusual for the high tourist season, so we had to assume it’s because so many travelers are in Paris at the Olympics! I hope you have been able to take in some of the televised events. There is something so inspiring about the world coming together to compete peacefully.
You may recall that I was helping to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to ban Trophy Hunting of Big Cats in our state. We just got word that our petitions had more than the required number of signatures, and it will be on the ballot this Fall. I am proud to have been a part of this conservation effort. Every one of us can make a difference.
I’ll be sharing photos from the Festival of Quilts in the next couple weeks, so keep an eye out for that link!
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Luana and Paul
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Travel/Quilt Dates:
July 29 – Aug 5 – Festival of Quilts, Birmingham UK
Sept 4-8 – AQSG Seminar, Tarrytown NY
Oct 31 – Nov 3 – Houston Quilt Festival
December 5-13 – Textile & Costume Italy Tour. Alpine Xmas Market Extension Dec 13-15.
