Start of a Good Weekend

I awakened very early this morning, I know this is not real news :-) and turned television to check if there was further information our State issue. I turned to channel 13, hoping for news and instead was treated to "Quiltmaker's of Gee's Bend." What a moving and inspiring piece about black women in a small town who quilt and have become quite famous for it. They now travel all over the country. I did see Jane Fonda, not sure of her connection with the quilter's or the man put this together. But I do know that this is the kind of thing that she is interested.  The women used to sell these quilts for $5 to $12 ($12 was high-end)  One woman laughed and said that when she was told that she could get $1,500-2,000 she thought the guy was crazy, but figured that she would wait and see. There was one woman who is so obviously afraid to step outside of her circle, she does not participate in traveling. She says that her doctor told she can't be with stranger's and not to travel. She also talks about how terrible her husband was to her. You can hear the pain in her voice, you can see it in her face. We can't always choose our journey or destinations, can we? I heard a gospel song that I had not heard since I was a child. It is titled "Jesus is My Only Friend." I have always disliked that song so much. It sounds like a dirge--much too eerie and depressing for me. My mother was scandalized when I told her that I did not like the song and would not sing it. One of the women said something very interesting, she said "You sing, you forget." It put me in an odd weepy mood and once more I missed my dear friend Wanda. I would have called her first thing this morning and she would have said "This better be good, why are you calling me so early?" Don't worry, she got me too, but her time was late at night (LOL)  This is truly a must see. The quilts are beautiful. One woman made a quilt of all of her deceased husband's clothing so she could wrap it around her when she missed him and became lonely.

I should say up front that these women were "discovered" by a white art historian. I tell you that because I have been given grief because I was so enthusiastic about photographer Brian Lanker's amazing"IDream a World : Portraits of Black Women who Changed America." I went to DC alone to see it and it still moves me when I think of the large portraits, especially the one of Barbara Jordan sitting in her wheelchair. Potent stuff. So, no "Hey girl, what's up with you?" e-mails o.k? Cuz, you have to respect those who see, recognize and act.

Here is link to the site http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/quiltmakers/ 

I ordered the DVD from PBS this a.m. http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-the-quiltmakers-of-gees-bend-dvd--pi-1954063.html

 Mmm. Now how is this the start of a good weekend? It makes me feel good that these wonderful old women are being recognized for their art. Also today is a friend's birthday, we will have a nice brunch in a pretty place and enjoy.