Curiouser and Curiouser!

When I was very small… about two or three… I spent a day with my friend, Sue, who was just about my age.

I don’t actually remember that day. At least not consciously.

What I do remember is my mom telling about what Sue’s mom had to say at the end of the day. It went something like this:

Why? When? How? Why? Why? When? Why? Why? Why? 

Apparently, we curious toddlers asked questions until poor Betty thought she’d never make it through one more question.

Curiosity is a marvelous thing. It can also be exhausting!

There’s been lots of curiosity at our house this week with the girls here for Spring Break.

We spent much of our time making first quilts.

If we’d been recording our conversations, you might have heard:

Now? When? Why? When? How? It’s in a knot again! When? Why? 

Etc., etc., etc….

We talked a lot about the notion of muscle memory and why Grammy’s hands knew from ages of practice how to thread the sewing machine and put in pins and all the other challenges for new “drivers” of such miracles.

We started with lines they drew on paper and no thread in the needles so they could get the hang of the foot pedals and the all important “needle up/down” process.

They decided they were ready to start “sewing for real, Grammy!”

First, we needed a plan. Make that two plans.

They made all the design decisions.

We began with the magic cupboard, aka my stash.

The girls picked fabric and decided on one patch squares.

I did the rotary cutting.

Next came arranging. Checkerboard style for Kenzie. A somewhat less predictable pattern for Taylor.

Then, we started actually sewing.

And, predictably, we started un-sewing. (Fortunately I have two seam rippers!)

We learned piecing and basting and a couple of options for quilting. We learned to make binding and attach it. We also learned that Grammy would help with the hand-sewing part!

Yesterday they headed for the airport with finished quilts. And suitcases full of unending curiosity!

It turns out that they’re pretty great role models.

Today, along with some painting buddies, I am pondering curiosity, as well.

What happens when we become curious observers of our lives?

What do we notice? (An old favorite!)

How do we turn stories into symbols?

And, why are we here?

Really!

I suspect that one may take a bit longer…

It somehow seems timely, though, in these days of Passover and Easter.

With all the blessings of the season,

Sue and the big dogs…