From This Little Blue Corner of the Country

Wow! What a week that was--an exhilarating four days culminating in the mass of humanity at Mile High Stadium truly did the heart good; actually gives me reason to hope. It was such a great four days!!

And THEN--to have the McCain camp pull Palin out of the hat! It doesn't get much better than that! What can they be thinking?! I had much fun instantly finding plenty to read about her; here's one of my favorites so far; I think this (Alaska) guy's blog will be fun to follow as the campaign unfolds--and may be fun just in general. (See the Aug 29th post: What is McCain Thinking? for the quick version of who IS Sarah Palin.)

Eagleton comes to mind; I think the impulsive rush to find the woman's vote (ANY woman...) will surely backfire in the end for them. I find it encouraging--but then Jim reminds me that we reside in the Soviet of Puget Sound. THIS finds the decision highly offensive except that it's just such a joke. We'll see who's laughing by November...

On a Project Roll

So meanwhile, I'm quite behind in updating my progress on projects and UFO's (you DO remember the UFO tasks for the year, right?!)

Well, I'll try to get us caught up into real time.

Here are examples of a bunch of table reversible table runners I got finished for Christmas in July & also the August quilt show. (The two pictures are the same runners, front & back). Like any of them?

Also--do you remember the mystery quilt that I asked you to vote on the layout earlier this year? Well here is the the final outcome of that project. Our group had all of the finished mystery quilts in the quilt show--it was a great example for novices about how color and layout can make such a difference!

She's a Winner After All

OK--we got through day two and I was not disappointed in Hillary's appearance. Despite many nay-sayers out there, I thought she was graceful, forceful, and delivered the most important message: we all have to stick together & hold the course. "Were you voting for me? or the issues we care about?"

As someone late to the Obama table, it felt right & enough--but I keep reading about others who are still unsatisfied. Hard to imagine how one could truly honor Hillary--and the great candidate she has been--and even think of voting for McCain!

And how about that Chelsea?! There's a future candidate in the making! You go girl!

2008 Quilt Show

Boy, did we luck out as the 'summer-that-wasn't' continues! Quilters on the Rock, the Whidbey Island guild, had the 2008 quilt show last Saturday at the wonderful, picturesque Greenbank Farm--on the ONLY day without fog, rain, & wind! (The wind did come up late in the afternoon, but it was so minor compared to the anticipated possibilities!)

It was loads of fun--which counters the loads of work involved in putting up/taking down a one day show that is mostly outside! All that attended seemed to have a great time, & right about now everyone involved is likely saying that having this event only every other year is probably a good idea 8-)

Women's Equality Day 2008

Have to admit it...I didn't get a lot of Olympics time in, but I'm getting my daily dose from Denver 2008.

August 26th of each year is designated as Women's Equality Day. Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug (one of my heroes) and first established in 1971, the day commemorates the passage of the 19th Constitutional Amendment, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920. We should all be humbled by the event which is just 88 years ago--and we have miles to go before we sleep.

How fitting that two of my favorite women are most certainly at the top of the news review for this 48 hours: Michelle Obama & Hillary Clinton! I was really uplifted by Michelle's opening Monday night--felt like she nailed it. ("..make the choice out of hope, not fear") And what a contrast she is to the "Stepford Wife" that we will be seeing next week at the 'other' convention.

It would truly be a treat to have two very engaged, intelligent voices in the house of white, and the energy of a young family. Looking forward to Hillary's time tonight--am hopeful that she can continue to heal the wounds & move us to a much needed united front.

It was also wonderful to see Ted Kennedy for what must surely have been his last hurrah. He will be a part of the mosaic even to the end.