Last year, during the second week of October, Lora and I were glued to the news and social media outlets. Sonoma and Napa County was a blaze. Thousands of homes were burned to the ground. So many lives were lost.

Three of our family members, a cousin, a brother-in-law and a nephew, are California firefighters. Plus our dad is a retired Livermore Pleasanton firefighter. Believe me when I say we were praying for the extinguishing of that fire and the protection of our family firefighters, as well as, all of the people in that area.

Lora and I had been scheduled to speak at the Napa Valley Quilters guild on October 14. I called and called but lines were down. Power was out. People had evacuated. As the lecture day drew near, we did get a call from the program chair confirming the meeting was cancelled. Of course.

We were reschedule for earlier this year in March and had an absolute blast with the Napa Valley Quilters guild. The hills were turning green from the rain and everyone was joyful in seeing the burned hills become alive again. As a community, they had lost so much, but we’d never had a guild that laughed so much, and so hard, at our antics. It made me think of this verse.

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3

This year the 2018 Wine Country Quilt Show will be dedicated to honor the First Responders and Survivors who lost everything, by displaying quilts and artifacts that celebrate quilters and the practical comfort quilts bring to us all.

Plan to come to the Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial Building, June 2 – 3, 2018, to enjoy the display of over 400 Quilts, including those dedicated to Survivors and First Responders.  Visit the gift boutique and the vendors, including us! We will be there too. We wouldn’t miss it! Look for the Material Girlfriend booth towards the back of the main Quilt Show room.  The admission is $12.00 (adults) $5.00 (children 6-12) and PARKING IS FREE.  If you want to know more, check them out online at http://www.mqsc.org/annual-quilt-show or Wine Country Quilt Show on FaceBook.

See you there!

Lisa Norton