An Interview and Some Quilts

Jo over at A Majority of Two answered some interview questions and then offered to interview others. She sent me these five questions. If you would like me to send you some questions (which I will make up), just let me know, and you, too, can have the thrill of talking about yourself on your own blog.

Also, for your viewing pleasure, I am posting more pictures of Amish quilts. These are the real thing, purchased from Amish women who had made these quilts for their families. For various reasons they were ready to part with the quilts. These were not made with tourists in mind, which often will change how a quilt looks. So these are the Real McCoy. They were pieced on treadle machines and hand quilted. (Ask me some day, and I'll tell you where that expression, the Real McCoy, came from. Or, if you want to do your own research, Google it and tell me what you learn!)

above: a rotten picture of a beautiful quilt. Apologies.

Everyone loved this one (above).

above: this is the first quilt made by a 14-year-old girl

1. Have you ever been influenced by a work of art – music, painting, book – and if so, how?

Definitely by many books! The first time I remember this happening is when I was about 8 or 9. That Christmas I was given a book called Jane Addams, World Neighbor. I totally fell in love with Jane and her work, and decided I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I didn't do exactly that, but I ended up working in human services and still think of Jane Addams as my role model.

2. If you were a chocolate bar, what type would you be? 100 Grand. It's bumpy and thick, so it looks like me, and it tastes good but isn't the best chocolate you will ever eat. So in that way it is like me -- I'm a good person but won't be winning any Nobel prizes any time soon.

3. What is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex? I pondered this for years before I accidentally met my only real boyfriend who later became my husband. He says it was my good legs. So I guess my secret was: wear a skirt.

4. What, in your opinion, is your greatest accomplishment? Being a generous person. Of course, my children are the greatest miracles in my life, but what I alone (more or less) accomplished was becoming what I am... generous and caring. And I hope I have influenced my fabulous children to follow in my footsteps of caring and sharing.

5. How many friends do you have on your Facebook account? About 70. I don't spend much time at FB. It seems kind of silly. OTOH, how much sillier is it than blogging about myself ad nauseum?