I have not written anything about the Gulf Sates Quilting Association’s (GSQA) Quilt Show which was last weekend. We spent three days in Pensacola for lectures and a workshop, so I was fairly tired when we returned Thursday night. My niece had come to help her parents with their flood issues, and I wanted to spend a little time with her. That’s always wonderful.
On Saturday, Richard and I took off again for the Gulf States Quilt Association (GSQA) quilt show. The plan: go early enough to see the quilts, then help with take-down. The first part went off without a hitch, and we enjoyed the show very much. Several of my friends in the modern guild won awards. A couple of those were first place. Just the number of quilts in the modern category was pretty impressive. Other members, mostly Janice Williams and Denise McGuire took the photos here. I “processed” them on my phone just to remove the background. Janice and Denise were snapping and sending like they were on fire! Thanks!
So, this happened and I’m still ashamed that someone from GSQA, which I like immensely and have been proud to be a part, could be so rude. Richard and I have done the same thing for the last couple of years–enjoy the show, help with take-down, pick-up my quilts, and drive the three hours home. The person in charge sent him on his way. And she was quite rude about it. She was the only one who didn’t “know” him. Therefore, as he put it, he “was fired from a volunteer job.” I so regret my decision to stay and help. So, so much. I honestly should have walked out with him, but it was such a shock I couldn’t think.
The following day, I could see that he was still insulted, and he has every right to be. We talked about what happened, how rude the woman was, and my non-response. I worked with the rest of the crew and did the same stressful job that I’ve done for the last few years, but I now regret that I stayed, abandoning my darling husband in a sense.
I apologized to him again and have given him permission to take me out of this kind of situation. When someone (GSQA or not) is beyond rude to another person, I should step up. I like to think I would, but I’m such a wimp. I stand in place, dumbfounded by another person’s behavior. I will definitely have to talk to my therapist about this. Maybe she has a solution. (I have yet to stump her, so it’s worth a try.)
We are in the throes of another rainstorm. I am quite sure there are people nearby who are fighting to keep the water out of their houses. I’ve seen some of the demolition and some of it is pretty bad. Gutted floor to ceiling! Many of them are elderly people who will have to find someone to work on their homes and pay ridiculous prices.
I’m also worried about the assisted living home where my sister lives. They were evacuated and, apparently, it will be a while before they can return as there is quite a lot of gutting and restoring to be done. I visited Cookie Monday and she seems to have adjusted okay. She didn’t recognize me, but that is not a new thing. She has good days and bad days.
Have wonderful week and weekend. I hope to have a newsletter out by Sunday, but who know what else might happen to deter me. (It doesn’t take much of a squirrel to distract me, but I’ll try to focus.)
