A week or two ago, Peter and I went to a quilt show in Arcadia, a sleepy little town in northern Michigan. It was a fund-raiser for the local historical society and we weren’t quite sure what to expect.

The new quilts were nice. I didn’t even ask if I could take pictures. But a few of the antique quilts knocked my socks off. All had interesting stories with who they once belonged to, were made for, were made by, which cottage they lived in… It made me smile. If you have ever lived in a small town you know exactly what I’m talking about. The fabrics of antique quilts amaze me. Not what we call designer fabrics by any means, but they are still hanging on and all that were displayed, mostly from the 1920-1930, were in perfect shape. Lots of solids, pale pinks, yellows…. all the soft, yummy colors to keep you cool during the warm summers, of no air conditioning, and probably many of these quilts lived where there was no electricity, for part of the year, anyway. I spotted several tumbler quilts, grandmothers’ flower gardens, double wedding rings, even 2 cathedral window quilts. I should have taken notes, but they are all the quilts we are still making today.

Somehow we are now interpreting these traditional quilts in bolder, louder ways and not always the most restful colors. I also saw quite a few summer quilts, those with no batting. Similar to the bathrobe I wear everyday. I think I need to make one of those quilts. Probably more for wrapping up while out on the deck, than for sleeping under. I don’t know about you, but I like the heft of a quilt to weigh me down when I sleep.

Seeing all these gorgeous old quilts, that have stood the test of time, really challenges me to reconsider my personal quilting style…..

Anyway, we then went out for lunch at Arcadia Bluffs, maybe you’ve heard of it? It is a pretty well-known golf course, #10 in the top 100 public golf courses in the country, sitting on a bluff, overlooking Lake Michigan. We enjoyed a bite, sitting out on the front deck, taking in the view. My very favorite spot on this golf course!

Yeah, that’s the view.

Of an extremely challenging course. If you aren’t the praying type you will be before you get to the 18th hole. Maybe even before you get to the 2nd…

On summer evenings there are bagpipes piping, as the sun sets out over Lake Michigan.

After lunch, we were catching a ride back to the car, from the golf cart chauffeur who asked us to check out the sun.

Yes, a double rainbow around the sun. Or more accurately a double halo around the sun. There are caused by ice crystals in the high, thin clouds reflecting sunlight like a prism. I’ve seen it around the moon, in winter.

I just can’t say I look at the sun that often..

Pretty cool, huh?