Jeanne Hewell-Chambers

+ Her Barefoot Heart

Category: 70273 (Page 3 of 28)

Sacred Threads or Bust

March 20, 2019 / / 0 Comments

little girl's white dress with sash sewn over a black quilt filled with colorful stitched scribbles

closeup of the white dress sewn onto a black quilt covered with colorful stitched scribbles

As many of you know, I stitch the marks of my sister-in-law Nancy in my spare time. I’m tickled to tell you that Playground of Her Soul, stitched selections from Nancy’s first five sets of drawings,was recently juried into the Sacred Threads exhibit (don’t you love the name?) and will be headed to Herndon, VA where it will be on exhibit from July 11 – 28, 2019. Do make plans to visit because it promises to be be an amazing exhibit. And let me know when you’re going ’cause if we’re there at the same time, I sure would love to call you “Sugar” to your face.

The 70273 Project Special Exhibit at Sacred Threads

There will also be a Special Exhibit of a few quilts from The 70273 Project on display there, and since it’s within spittin’ distance to Washington, D. C., please let me know if you know anybody who’s connected with the U. S. Holocaust Museum. Barbara Hollinger, Curator of Sacred Threads, had the good idea for me to invite people from the U.S. Holocaust Museum to see The 70273 Project quilts on display there and to hopefully get the ball rolling towards an exhibit at the Holocaust Museum.

Visit the calendar for more information about the Sacred Threads exhibit and more. Hint: if you click in the upper right hand corner of the page where it says “view as” and select the option for a “list view”, it makes it easier to find things. At least for me it does.

Eye Contact: Making a Connection

If you’d like to be a part of Sacred Threads, there’s still time. When The 70273 Project was a Special Exhibit at the International Quilt Festival in November 2017, Barbara Hollinger had a Special Exhibit of the most exquisite wind chimes right next door to us. We met, Barbara and I did, and as we talked about the importance of meaningful conversations,  we both had a flash image of eyes. You know how it goes, we shared goosebumps and descriptions of what we were seeing in our mind’s eyes, and Barbara took that exchange home with her and made it part of this year’s Sacred Threads exhibit. If you’d like to make and send some cloth eyes, here’s how.

Celebrating Our Third Birthday With a Block Count Update

February 14, 2019 / / 0 Comments
white cloth with two red X's on top

Where it all started: Block 1

Three years ago, I had a  big, fat, crazy idea to commemorate the 70,273 disabled people murdered between January 1940 and August 1941 under a program called Aktion T4, Knowing I’d think myself out of it if I didn’t move quickly, I got a few things done then  mashed the send button on a blog post. Here we are, three years later, with a shiny new block count update that I think is gonna’ make y’all smile real big.

When people ask me how this all got started, I tell them the truth: I planted a field of digital dreams . . . a.k.a. wrote a blog post, sent it out, and y’all came, your arms filled with love, compassion, kindness, and pairs of red X’s.

For the past three years, tens of thousands of us from 140 or more countries have come together, sharing the stories from our lives and the tears of our hearts. We have forged deep, lasting friendships that transcend cultural, geographical, and language differences and distances. We find that we have much more in common than what separates us, and we now know with absolute certainty that there is more goodness, more kindness, more compassion in every corner of the world than there is hate. We have proven that love and respect makes it possible to love and learn from those whose lives are not the same as ours. This is big, y’all. This is big.

So is our new block count.

Drum roll please . . .

I am honored to know y’all and tickled beyond words to tell you that as of today, the block count for The 70273 Project stands at . . .

72,055 

You read that right: in just three years, The 70273 Project has commemorated 72,055 people. I hope you’ll take a minute to let this seep in, get your heart around it, then share your responses and reactions. I also hope you’ll know how hugely grateful I am to each and every one of you. Like I said in my first blog post about this big, fat, crazy idea: I could never do it by myself.

Here are a few pictures of the quilt that took us across the goal line:

A Middling by Jeanne Hewell-Chambers commemorating 5500 people (Better pictures to come)

Closeup of the Middling by Jeanne Hewell-Chambers

I know y’all like the back of my hand by now, and I can hear you asking these good questions:

But we’ve commemorated more than 70,273 people . . .?

I know, I know. It’s rather stunning right now, isn’t it? Here’s my answer to the question that will eventually form into coherent words: Though we don’t have a firm count, we know that there were far more than 70,273 disabled people murdered during World War II. Some estimations as high as 300,000. The reality is that I cannot store an infinite number of quilts, but for now, it’s as simple as this: we keep stitching; we keep sharing; we keep honoring.

What if I still have blocks to send? What if I haven’t finished my quilt? What if our group is planning to make a quilt?

You keep stitching and send them to me just like always. (Note: I will soon be adding a Checklist for Sending Quilts to the web site, so stay tuned for that.)

Will you continue to hold Block Drives, do presentations, attend Special Exhibits?

Oh you bet I will. I have been asked to take The 70273 Project to college campuses, museums, quilt shows, and all sorts of gatherings this year and beyond, and I continue to say “Yes!” So if your group, church, school, scout troop, organization, college or university, or most any other kind of gathering would like me to visit with quilts in hand and stories in the heart,  let me know. i’m delighted to be asked and welcome the opportunity. And I’ll continue showing up with block making materials at every presentation so folks can stitch while I talk and to host block drives before and after my presentation. We’ll do just like we’ve always done: turn the blocks into a quilt bearing the name of your organization on the label.

What now? What’s next?

We’re not done yet, but today we celebrate each other, the people we commemorate, and what can happen when good people join together for a good reason. More to come, so keep your eye here on the blog so you don’t miss a thing.

Um, you promised party favors?

I sure did, and here they are. These ready-to-share-in-social-media badges were created by 70273 Project Ambassador Sarah Jespersen Lauzon, so help yourself. We have them in English, French, and German.

(On a Mac,  command key, click on image, select desired destination. On a pc, right click on the image and select your desired destination.)

Here they are in English:

In French:

And in German:

Thank y’all again for rising to this monumental challenge. On we go to the next chapter.

~~~~~~~

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Interview: Shirley, Wes, and Nealy Wesselhoeft

January 7, 2019 / / 0 Comments

 

book cover bearing an image of a young boy standing on a bech wearing a sailor's suit

When he was six years old, Wes Wesselhoeft and his parents were unceremoniously snatched from their peaceful life in Chicago, Illinois and taken by train and truck to Crystal City, Texas where they were interned with other Japanese and Italians being held hostage in the hysteria of World War II. Hear Wes and Shirley tell the story – or parts of the story ’cause I want you to read the book and join us in The 70273 Project Book Chat in The 70273 Project Facebook Group (date and time to be announced) – in their own words. It is a story of resilience and generosity of spirit if ever I’ve heard one.

Join The 70273 Project Campfire (a.k.a. Facebook group) so you don’t miss this book chat where you can ask Shirley, Wes, and even Nealy the Service Dog questions and make comments on the book.

~~~~~~~

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A Happy New Year Block Count Update

January 1, 2019 / / 0 Comments

a box filled with bundles of fabric, letters, and notes

In this neck of the woods, superstition holds that how you spend New Year’s Day is how you’ll spend the year. If that holds true, I’ll be opening mail most of this year! Over the course of New Year’s Eve and New year’s Day, I spent more than 20 hours checking in blocks and quilts for The 70273 Project. Yes, I got a little behind because The Engineer and I have been home only four non-consecutive weeks this year, and checking in blocks and quilts is one of the few things I have to physically be here to do. Thank y’all for your patience, and for continuing to make and send.

I checked in and registered 4391 commemorations from these good people . . .

QUILTS

197, a bundle Long  Skinny quilt Pieced and Quilted  by Laura Brainard (FL, US)
227, a Middling made by Beth Schmidt (FL, US)
228, a Middling made by Beth Schmidt (FL, US)
275, a block quilt made by Kate Elliott (FL, US)
415, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
416, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
417, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
481, a Middling made by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
525, a group quilt Pieced and Quilted by Laurie Dunn and her Grandchildren
Jerrod, Ariana, Gracie, Steven, Colton, William, and Jillian and her Daughter-in-Law Marlesa. (PA, US)
554, a Middling made by Pam Patterson (TN, US)
578, a bundle quilt top Pieced by Edna Jamandre (MD, US)
582, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Kathleen Kashmir
596, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
598, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
604, a bundle quilt Pieced and Quilted by Karen Swiech
605, a bundle quilt Pieced by Karen Swiech
606, a bundle quilt top Pieced by Edna Jamandre (MD, US)
607, a bundle quilt top Pieced by Edna jamandre (MD, US)
627, a block quilt made by Elaine Smith (TX, US)
628, a group quilt made by members of the Town and Country Quilt Guild:
Peggy DeLaVergne (Piecer); Elaine Smith (Finisher); Mary Phail Boyd;
Kathie Cherry; Carol Srajer (TX, US)
652, a group quilt made by members of the Sandstone Piecemakers (MI, US)
655, a Middling made by Sarah J. Lauzon and a friend (FL, US)
656, another Middling made by Sarah J. Lauzon (FL, US)
657, a Mini made by Shawn Taylor
658, a Middling made by Shawn Taylor
659, a Middling made by Aradria Csercsevits (FL, US)
660, a Mini made by Debra Jalbert (FL, US)
661, a Long Skinny quilt made by Beth Schmidt (FL, US)
662, a Middling made by Beth Schmidt (FL, US)
663, a Middling made by Pam Patterson (TN, US)
664, a Middling made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
665, a Middling made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
666, a Middling made by Jennifer Lario- Moya (AUSTRALIA)
667, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
668, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
669, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
670, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
671, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
672, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
673, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
674, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
675, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
676, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
677, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
678, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
679, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
680, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
681, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
682, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
683, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
684, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
685, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
686, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
687, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
688, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
689, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
690, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
691, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
692, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
693, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)
694, a Mini made by Jennifer Lario-Moya (AUSTRALIA)

BLOCKS

Amy Chambers (GA, US)
Angie Cullett (LA, US)
Ann Burnett (MN, US)
Anonymous
Betsey Chambers (CO, US)
Breanna Crassno (MO, US)
Deb Cashatt (CA, US)
Drew Chambers (US)
Edna Jamandre (MD, US)
Elaine Pfeiffer (MO, US)
Glenda Scott (MO, US)
Janet Olsen (UT, US)
Jeanne Hewell-Chambers (NC and GA, US)
Joy Avery (FL, US)
Joyce Graff (MA, US)
Joyce Mullis (NC, US)
Katia Johnstone (ME, US)
Laurie Dunn (PA, US)
Linda Williard (MO, US)
Mary Belcourt (ND, US)
Muriel Richardson (ND, US)
Pam Patterson (TN, US)
Penny B. Holland (NC, US)
Rachel Williams (LA, US)
Rosalyn R. Buck (ND, US)
Rosemary Sevigny (ND, US)
Shirley R. Boyd (MO, US)
Susanne R. Silbernagel (ND, US)
Shelley Folkedahl (ND, US)
Silvia Conte (ITALY)
the Walsh Quilters (ND, US)
Wendy Forsyth (MO, US)

Added together, our current block count is . . . are you sitting down . . .

60851!

A few notes:
~ The graph we used since the beginning of the project went kaput, so I’ve installed a new one. To view it, scroll down to the bottom of the page. It’s on the right side.
~ A bundle quilt is one made from an assortment of blocks from around the world. Blocks arrive, are checked in, then bundled with other blocks from around the world, and are sent to volunteers who Piece and/or Quilt them. For a long time, I did all this by myself, but now, I’m tickled and grateful to tell you that thanks to a group of Helper Angels, I now receive, register, then pass along to the Helper Angels. Be watching for interviews with them soon. And if you are a Helper Angel, thank you. If you live in the vicinity of Fayette County, Georgia and would be willing to pitch in every now and then, let me know.
~ The monthly 70273 Project XXtra comes out around the 14th of every month, so subscribe if you haven’t already cause there’s precious little duplication of information.
~ I am behind in my Thank You notes, so until you get yours, please know that I am incredibly grateful to be on this beautiful rock with each of you.

Holiday Rescues and Remedies

December 16, 2018 / / 0 Comments

It’s the most wonderful time of the year when people around the world gather and spend time with beloved friends and families . . . SO . . . when you get tired of hearing the same ole’ stories, when that one certain family member is stomping on your last nerve, when the kids are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, it’s time to pull out fabric and thread and make some blocks for The 70273 Project.

pieces of white fabric covered with pairs of red X's

Blocks made by Susan Burch and her Grandchildren

two young boys smile broadly while surveying the table filled with

2 of Laurie Dunn’s adorable Grandchildren spent time at the beach making blocks (and decorating shells, some of which they sent to me with their blocks).

GRANDS

If it’s just too cold to send the little darlings outside to run off some of that energy, sit ’em down and make some blocks. You make one red X and your  grandchild makes the other red X.

 

pieces of white fabric covered with pairs of red X's

Blocks made by Siblings Peggy Thomas, Linda Moore, and Pat McGregor

SIBLINGS

Instead of sticking your tongue out at your sister or making horns behind your brother’s head when someone points a camera in your direction, thread your needle and make Sibling Blocks. One siblings makes a red X’s on a block, then another siblings adds the second red X. Depending on how many siblings you have, it may take several blocks before everybody has made a block with each sibling (and that’s just fie with me).

men and women sit at a table and stitch

Kitty Sorgen’s family work on the blocks for their family quilt

a white quilt covered with pairs of red X's

Quilt #31: The Sorgen / Urbach Famliy Quilt

FAMILIES

When Grandpa takes an afternoon nap and snores so loudly you can’t hear yourself think, take a cue from Kitty Sorgen and get everybody involved in making your own family quilt. Everybody makes their own blocks OR pairs of family members can make collaborative blocks, each making on red X. With no minimum or maximum number of blocks, you can put up needle and thread when ready. After the holiday, you or another willing soul can turn these family blocks into a quilt for The 70273 Project.

two red X's on a white background

A collaborative block made by Nancy and me. She drew in red, then I printed her drawing on fabric and used it to make the two red X’s.

COLLABORATE WITH ME (JEANNE)

And when you reach the point where it’s grab some time to yourself or climb the walls and swing from the chandelier, quietly pick up your cloth, scissors, and thread and go make blocks with only one red X then send them to me and I’ll add the second red X.

IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

~ Blocks are made per usual – in one of three sizes with two (or one if we’re collaborating) red X’s.

~ Just like always, everybody needs a Provenance Form.

~ Please make a note in the upper righthand corner of each Provenance Form and let me know if the blocks are to go into The Grands Quilt; The Siblings Quilt; or the I Collaborated with Jeanne Quilt.

~ If you opt to make a family quilt and can’t find anybody to piece and quilt it, make a note in the upper righthand corner of each Provenance Form that this is the _________ Family Quilt then send me the blocks and Provenance Forms and I’ll find a volunteer. (Who will become like a valued member of your family. Trust me on that.)

~ Right this way for more information about Collaborating with Me.

~ For more information about Grandparents/Grandchildren Blocks and Family Quilts, go here and here.

~ Go here to find out more about making Siblings Blocks.

Now, go enjoy your time together.

Oh, if you’re looking for a gift for someone who has everything (related to you or not), we love being elves, so consider making a donation to The 70273 Project in their honor. Let us know if you want us to send them a handwritten note letting them know, and we’ll sure do it. And hey, thank you.

Monday Meme: Grace

December 10, 2018 / / 0 Comments

The words "Grace is Free" embellish a white quilt covered with pairs of red X's in the background.

 

Would you like to download and share this image via your blog and social media outlets?
That would be fantastic.
On a Mac:
1. place the cursor over the image.
2. Hold down the Control key.
3. Tap or click on image while holding down the control key.
4. Choose your option. (I prefer to “save image as” and save to my desktop.
I am fluent only in Apple, so if anybody knows how to do this on a PC, please let me know.

Meet Quilt 652

December 5, 2018 / / 0 Comments

white fabric covered with pairs of red X's

 

white quilt covered with pairs of red X's

 

white quilt covered with pairs of red X's

 

white quilt covered with pairs of red X's

The 70273 Project Quilt 652
40 commemorations
44.5″ x 71″ / 113cm x 180 cm
Completed November 2018

Pieced by: Elsa Mumford (USA)
Quilted by: Maggie Dupuis (USA)
Finished by: Millie Little (USA)

Blocks made by:
Janet Gerhardt (USA)
Ginger Alberti (USA)
Mary Jo Beveridge (USA)
Anonymous
Betty Jokinen (USA)
Chari Johnson (USA)
Benita Maksimchuk (USA)
Carol Tallon (USA)
Mary Ann Anderson (USA)
Barbara Rickard (USA)
Claire Snow (USA)
Patricia Carbine (USA)
Maggie Dupuis (USA)
Nancy C. Kubin (USA)
Pam Hawley (USA)
Rae Louise Matson (USA)
Betty Overocker (USA)
Patty Rose (USA)
Elsa Mumford (USA)
Karen Secor (USA)
Millie Little (USA)

Writes Claire Snow . . .

This quilt was made by the Sandstone Piecemakers of Calumet, Michigan, a quilt guild that has been in existence for almost 25 years. We’re located in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan in what was the center of the Copper Mining industry at the turn of the 20th century. 

Th project came about when a group of our guild members attended the 2018 Minnesota Annual Quilt Show in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The ladies were deeply struck when they saw the display of The 70273 Project. It touched their hearts in a way they knew it was the perfect project for our guild. We were so excited by the project as a guild that in our recent quilt show in September, we set up a small display of our blocks that were completed and shared the story with fellow quilters of the UP. We take great pride in participating in this project and being able to spread the word of those victims with special needs who died so that the 70273 will never be forgotten.

Thank you, Claire and Members of the Sandstone Piecemakers for this beautiful contribution to The 70273 Project, and thank you, Claire, for the beautiful photos and for gathering and sending all the requested information. Would your guild or group like to make a quilt? Here’s how.

~~~~~~~

Other ways to stay in touch and get involved in The 70273 Project:

Join the English Facebook Campfire (group)

Join the French Facebook group

Like The 70273 Project Facebook page

Subscribe to the blog

Subscribe to the newsletter

Post and follow on Instagram (Please tag me – @whollyjeanne – and use #the70273project)

Color Me Grateful

November 22, 2018 / / 0 Comments

As we travel doing presentations and block drives for The 70273 Project the past four weeks, The Engineer and I have seen 3 ocean views , , ,

large rocks in the ocean with much white foam

Mendocino, California

massive, mountainous rocks surrounded by light blue ocean under gray skies

Mendocino, California

woman in pink hat and blue glasses stands beside a white-haired man in front of the ocean

The Artist and The Engineer in Mendocino, California

a fuzzy sun shines down on the clouded blue sky over the ocean

Mendocino, California

sun shining in blue sky over ocean surrounded by rocks

Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine

white haired man stands beside woman in pink hat in front of the ocean

The Engineer and The Artist at Acadia National Park in Bar harbor, Maine

white foam of the ocean splashing on huge rocks

Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine

blue sky over beach and a black bird

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

woman wades in ocean under a blue sky

My mother wades in the ocean at Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

grasses, sand, ocean, blue sky

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

the moon shines over the ocean

I see the moon, and the moon over Daytona Beach Shores seize(s) me

Three oceans – the same because they’re all awesomely impressive bodies of water, each different in its own way. That’s the way I like oceans, and that’s the way I like people – the same because we’re humans, delightfully unique in our own individual ways. On whatever path we met – writing, stitching, through The 70273 Project; whether we met in school or through other friends or as a result of an unanticipated coincidence, on this US Thanksgiving Day – and on any ordinary day, for that matter – I am tickled and thankful to have you in my life. Grateful for all the goodness, kindness, and compassion you continue to  spill into the world.

Choose one . . . or both:
Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thursday.

The 70273 Project SHELF-ish Pursuits Book Club November 2018 Selection

November 11, 2018 / / 0 Comments
a man in a red shirt, a woman in a white blouse, a woman in a camouflage jacket, a man in a black jacket, and a black lab dog stand in front of white quilts covered with pairs of red X's

L to R: The Engineer (Andy), Jeanne, Shirley, Wes, and Nealy

I met Shirley and Wes at the International Quilt Festival in November 2017, and we’ve been friends ever since. Seein’ as how today is Veterans Day and seein’ as how Wes is a US veteran and seein’ as how the ink is barely dry on their new book about Wes’ life during World War II (and beyond), I thought their new book – Wesselhoeft: Traded to the Enemy – would be a fine way to start our 70273 SHELF-ish Pursuit Book Club back up.

photo of a young boy wearing a sailor suit

man in uniform stands before a US flag holding the leash of a black dog

Wes’s story is a compelling one, so go get yourself a copy and get to reading. I’ve got my copy, and I’m planning to read it next week. We’ll reconvene at a yet-to-be-announced day in December to discuss the book when Shirley and hopefully Wes and who knows – maybe even Nealy (Wes’ seeing eye dog), too –  have agreed to be part of our discussion, so be sure to make notes and jot down questions as you read. Details about the discussion to follow in a blog post and in The 70273 Project Campfire on Facebook, where we gather around a digital campfire, sitting on digital logs, devouring digital s’mores.

a black lab licks a woman in white's face

Nealy. I love him. And I don’t know about you, but it kinda’ looks to me like he might like me a little bit, too.

A great big Thank you to Stephanie Brown Bowen for starting and naming The 70273 Project SHELFish Pursuit Book Club and for getting us going.  I hope she’ll be able to join us every now ‘n then.

The Equity, Access, and Inclusion Conference at the University of Maine

November 6, 2018 / / 0 Comments

people sewing around a table with quilts hanging in the background

I met Sara Henry, Director of Student Accessibility Services and Conference Organizer at the University of Maine,  at the AHEAD Conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in July 2018 when she stopped by The 70273 Project booth to make a block. When she invited me to be a presenter and host a 70273 Project Block Drive as part of the conference that’s a World Usability Day event, I was delighted and honored to respond with a hearty “Yes.”

The conference is from 9 am to 4 pm and offers an amazing variety of speakers and useable information. And there’s more: the conference is open to the public! Registration is quick, easy, and can be tended to here. Go here for a schedule, map, and other information.

I recently interviewed Sara Henry as part of growing The 70273 Project Podcast. Give a listen here or watch it on The 70273 Project You Tube Channel for the visual version. Note: Bear with me as I learn how to do this, and remember, we embrace imperfections.

 

 

We’ve fallen in love with Maine
as we make our way to Orono and the University of Maine campus.

white wooden house with chimney

blue house with white grim and two chimneys

the houses that seem capable and confident, ready to shelter the people they love

buildings of various sizes in a small town where cars line the streets

the small towns that whisk me back in time to my Fayetteville, GA childhood

gray skies over boats on the water

the boats

metal supports on a bridge with gray sky in the background

the Penobscot Bridge (Oh how The Engineer loves bridges!)

a happy man enjoying fresh lobster and corn on the cob and clam chowder

and lobster

a windshield wiper obscures part of the Acadia National Park sign

Acadia National Park

leaves of orange and red and yellow appear in front of the ocean clouded in fog and surrounded by trees and hills

its water

a man and a woman stand in front of a tree in Acadia National Forest

trees on the edge of the ocean

and its trees
all quite beautiful despite the rain and fog it dressed in today.

We’ve lingered in two bookstores, and I declare, y’all, they have revived me. The scenery and the bookstores – oh my goodness – the stories are popping up everywhere.

Oh, and when The Engineer spied the sign for the quilt store, we stopped
and left some cards for The 70273 Project
and shopped – you know I shopped a little.

Come to the conference if you can. And be sure to get up in my face and say Hey.

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