Utilitarian quilts to keep me warm
Sara
My interests and self-expression, a combination of my scientist side melding with my artistic bent, have resulted in my long-term interest in and creation of a multitude of quilts. I learned to stitch from my grandmother as we settled down together for the air raid drills during WWII. My quilts range from the traditional to the wild use of color in random patterns. And they are practical too: they are meant to keep us warm. Most have been given to others; I have only kept a few.
A second and scientific interest is in gardening, specifically vegetables. After seeking my second degree in horticulture, I had a wonderful opportunity to facilitate the building of raised-bed gardens in what was, at that time, the second poorest city for its size in the U.S. We first sought to energize and organize the residents to want to build gardens. Then we went on to teach gardeners practical techniques and facts, and we learned old-fashioned techniques from them that they had brought when they moved north. In 2011, I was able to partner with another resident to replicate that pattern into our own suburban township!
More recently, I’ve become actively involved in Sierra Club’s initiative, Ready for 100, by bringing this campaign to my township. My involvement came from my wanting justice and fairness, not only for myself but for others. And through my conviction that Climate Change is real and can be demonstrably illustrated in our own neighborhoods. Although I may not live to experience its major impacts, Climate Change will negatively affect the lives of my granddaughters. Simply put, I cannot sit back and let it happen. Each of us must do our own part in adapting to a new climate and contributing to every possible action that mitigates its impact.
A second and scientific interest is in gardening, specifically vegetables. After seeking my second degree in horticulture, I had a wonderful opportunity to facilitate the building of raised-bed gardens in what was, at that time, the second poorest city for its size in the U.S. We first sought to energize and organize the residents to want to build gardens. Then we went on to teach gardeners practical techniques and facts, and we learned old-fashioned techniques from them that they had brought when they moved north. In 2011, I was able to partner with another resident to replicate that pattern into our own suburban township!
More recently, I’ve become actively involved in Sierra Club’s initiative, Ready for 100, by bringing this campaign to my township. My involvement came from my wanting justice and fairness, not only for myself but for others. And through my conviction that Climate Change is real and can be demonstrably illustrated in our own neighborhoods. Although I may not live to experience its major impacts, Climate Change will negatively affect the lives of my granddaughters. Simply put, I cannot sit back and let it happen. Each of us must do our own part in adapting to a new climate and contributing to every possible action that mitigates its impact.