after the dentist

A few weeks ago, I went to the dentist (yes, that's really how this story starts. Bear with me - my voice feels a little scratchy after 30 days of quiet here).

And you know - it's the dentist. My dentist himself is very pleasant. We always have lovely conversations about books. (Or, at least  as much as one can have a conversation with their mouth wide open and someone's hands inside it. Maybe it's more accurate that I do a lot of listening about books.) Last year he convinced me to read all of Julia Alvarez' books, which I can't believe I had made it 32 years without reading. Wasn't I an English and Women's Studies major in college? Yeah, it just seems wrong that they let me get by four years without reading her. She's amazing.

Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. In the dentist chair where I was fantasizing what I was going to do with the rest of my solo Mama time that afternoon (because going to the dentist does not count as "recharging Mama time", even with the charming book chat). And I remembered a flea market nearby. Ah, perfect. Sometimes I love just slowly wandering around the stalls at an indoor flear market alone - in the quiet, surrounded by my own thoughts and a whole lot of 'old things' - some of them quite lovely. And the rest - well, I can see past a few baseball cards. 

And that is just about the longest way I could have told you - that I found this quilt there that day. There's never really any doubt when I find one of these, and it's reasonably priced, that it will come home with me. Despite the growing piles of old quilts around here ('that we can't even use!" Steve says, befuddled and humored. "But these ones are art!" I say, entirely serious).

It's actually a total cutter quilt. There's a big hole in the middle and the edges are really, really frayed. I have a few projects in mind for it that I'm excited about trying out. But...I'm not quite ready for the cutting yet. I want to stare at it just a little bit longer. Think about the woman who made it. The people it might have warmed. What their life was like. The artists who designed the fabric. What they were inspired by. And on and on. I want to study it, and dream about it, if you will.

And, I want to play Quilt Twister. "Left foot on yellow floral! Right hand on green plaid!" My children have such sweet tolerance for their crazy Mama. And I'm very grateful for that. And the flea market. And my dentist, too.

Comments

[Carmen]

I have read your blog for over a year and loved every post of it and today I have to comment. Julia Alvarez is one of my favorite writers and I am so glad that you have been introduced to her.

[Caroline]

Quilt Twister!? Heavens, you are the mama I aspire to be! Soon enough, only 6 more months until i can begin ;)

[Julie @ Letter9]

Quilt Twister. A tongue twister even in typing. Sheesh! Anyway, I just wanted to second your Julia Alvarez recommendation. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents is one of my favorite books ever.

If you like her books and want to try something beautiful and touching and sad, I'd recommend Paula, the memoir by Isabelle Allende. It's wonderful.

[melissa]

My husband is a dentist and every night he comes home telling me about the conversations he has had with his patients that day, they are always so long and in depth and I always wonder how he does it.

[Mintyfresh]

what a magical, fun afternoon! the kids are going to see quilts when they're older and remember Quilt Twister with nostalgia.

[Kelli]

I am a dental hygienist who reads your blog and I'm relieved to know you go. I have never read an entry here about the dentist before. We do get a little bummed that people do not enjoy to see us and after awhile it wears on us. Can you imagine working for years and not having the response for instance that you get for one of your creations? Some of my patients truly are appreciative and I love finding a shared interest with someone that helps them feel comfortable. Thank you for sharing your life and Happy Children's Dental Health Month. Only brush and floss the ones you want to keep!

[Anna]

Ok, the baby playing quilt twister. That is ACE! I know what you mean about relating with the woman/women who made your quilt. I felt the same way when I hand-quilted my first one last year. Like I was following in the footsteps of so many.

[brandie]

i love quilt twister!

and hey, i thought I convinced you to read all of her books!! ; )

[Lisa]

What an amazing find!

[Glenda]

Enjoyed the 30 days of photos, but very much missed your voice. Glad to have you talking again =).

[Sherri]

I have major quilt envy...love it!

[patty]

I totally hear you on the dentist talking to you looking for conversation while hand in mouth scenario!!! haha. Great find of a quilt, im sure it will relive through many wonderful things you will make with it:)

[patty]

I totally hear you on the dentist talking to you looking for conversation while hand in mouth scenario!!! haha. Great find of a quilt, im sure it will relive through many wonderful things you will make with it:)

[Kim]

Lovely find. Have you ever read "The boy and his quilt"? I'm thinking your boys would love it! They have it at amazon. It's a great story about fabric and a boy who saves scraps to make his own quilt. My boys loved it and it inspired 3 quilts here. happy quilt twister!

[Nadia Lewis]

So cute! Great find.

[Ula]

Love the game! The kids are so cute playing it.

[Ashley]

Quilt Twister...absolutely fabulous!!

Its never easy cutting into a vintage quilt, even if it is a cutter. Have fun with it!

[Oliver Rain]

I just love your blog. I think your house must be so much fun to grow up in.

[Erin O]

I love vintage quilts as well but never know what a good price is to pay. In Southern California, as another reader already pointed out - they are usually priced pretty high. In your experience/opinion, what is a reasonable price to pay for a vintage quilt?

[Kirsten]

What a lovely story and a beautiful quilt! Love the quilt twister - great game.

[Jennifer]

Loved the comment about lying in the dentist's chair being so similar to a spa retreat, when you have small children and babies at home. Here, teeth cleaning is often broken up into two or three visits--sign me up! And please make me wait at least 15 minutes before you call my name so that I can read my book.

[lindsey]

quilt twister! LOVE it.

[Lisette]

What a beautiful find that is!

[Katie Pedersen]

It's always interesting to see what those of us with Women's Studies degrees are doing. Love the twister.

[joanna]

how wonderful!! i thought you made the quilt when i saw it on flickr! what a great find!! and so much fun playing the game!

[Nic]

Isn't loving the crazy the law?

[Veronica TM]

oh, how sweet! and i would have a hard time cutting too. transitions are important.

[Péitseoga]

what a beautiful quilt! i love how bright it is, and that bright orangey red and the warm sky blue are my favourite colours at the moment!

[janine]

You know, I'm a firm believer that the best way to get to the point is the long way! Looking at your quilts makes me want to make one. If I do, I shall let you know:)

[Ophelia Rising]

LOVE it. We have a few quilts lying around here, too, made by my Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. They're in pretty good condition, and yes, I think they're definitely addicting in nature. I would have purchased that one as well, if I had seen it at a flea market.

Your photos are absolutely gorgeous! You inspire me, whenever I visit, to learn to be a better photographer (not that I am necessarily one now!) And also, inspiration from the sheer beauty of the world you show us.

[Meghan]

Wonderful quilts (in your last 2 posts) they are so hard to find. Nicely done.