I love gardening. I can’t say that I have a green thumb, but I do love to be covered in dirt with my hands in the warm soil and the sun in my eyes. Let me tell you a little garden story.
About 12 years ago, I was forced asked to attend a committee meeting designed to develop eco-friendly initiatives for the college where I worked. At that meeting I met my now dear friend Barb when we both grabbed chairs at the table that had the words “community garden” as the centerpiece. The rest, you might say, is history.
Barb and I became fast friends and together we willed the Alfred Community Garden into existence. She and I spent 10 years digging, designing, haranguing, wheedling, planting, fertilizing, fund-raising, recruiting, and teaching about gardening, self-sufficiency, frugality, sustainability, and community service while the garden grew and grew and grew. Honestly, my friendship with her and that garden were the highlights of my former job.
But then my dear friend retired, and after one lonely year, I left the college too. My next (now current) job put me on the road and I started traveling for work (safely working from home now, no worries). Barb and I enjoyed post-college lunches a few times, but not often enough. And we all know what happened in 2020. I have missed her greatly now for two years.
In the background, I have been thinking a lot about my friend and our garden and the legacy that we built for Alfred to enjoy. And so I started making a quilt. I know that green is Barb’s favorite color, so you know what I did…I pulled out my 1.5″ postage stamps and got to work.
Right after Christmas I finished the Alfred Community Garden quilt. Last weekend I got the briefest of glimpses of my friend when we met in a parking lot and I gave her the quilt. I was so happy to see her face. I cannot wait for a summer day when we can eat ripe, juicy tomatoes fresh- picked from the vine in the beautiful, bountiful garden that we made.
I LOVE the colors in this quilt AND the patchwork pattern is awesome! Ms. G. did a great job quilting it, the flowers and leaves are the perfect touch. Got any left over postage stamps? I think I “need” a quilt like this in my house!
Cindy — do be careful what you wish for!
This beautiful quilt—and you—tell a heartfelt story of friendship, commitment to the earth and your community. I can almost hear the echo of laughter between friends, and feel the warm sunshine as you happily toil in the community garden. ❤️
Linder — don’t be scared, but you’re next my dear friend 🙂
Linder my dear. You’re next 🙂
What a lovely story and such a pretty quilt for a friend! I hope the two of you get to be together soon. I so miss seeing my friends face to face!
Wendy — Won’t it be lovely to spend time with our friends? The “before” times seem like a dream….
Yes!
Beautiful story. Beautiful quilt.