A day off

Nancy and I last saw each other at our 20th high school reunion, which was a long time ago. We've known each other since grade school and kept in loose touch over the years, noting family changes and promising to get together sometime. Today was sometime. And what a wonderful time.

We met this morning at Mill House Quilts in Waunakee, which seemed a good middle ground between her sister's in Milwaukee, where she is staying for a few days, and Milladore. We spent a considerable amount of time in the shop and and an even greater amount of time across the street in the Main Street Diner catching up over lunch and a lot of iced tea (diet soda for her).

Nancy was very impressed with the shop -- it is a beauty -- as we took our time checking out every nook and cranny and nearly every book and swapping updates on projects we've made, are making, or plan to make. And once again I was reminded how lucky I am. I have lots of friends who share my quilting and sewing, knitting and crafting interests. I can't imagine loving something as much as I do quilting and not being able to share it with someone.

Just a few weeks ago I spent a great quilting day with friend Sandy. We visited the Heart in Hand quilt shop in Neillsville and The Quilt Yard in Osseo in her shiny convertible. Thelma and Louise go quilting. Sandy had never been to either shop and enjoyed a close examination of all that was offered.

Going to a quilt shop with a friend who shares your interest is a chance to try out ideas -- even dreams -- with someone whose judgment and understanding you trust. It's not just looking at fabric; it's sharing and planning and encouragement and inspiration interspersed with talk about kids and parents and brothers and sisters and friends and old days and future hopes. It is friendship.