Not to be outdone by the Colorado State Fair, the state capitol has hundreds of quilts hanging from the rafters – literally – as part of the Capitol Quilt Show.
Some of the quilts are beautiful. Others are . . . well, unique. And some are quite simply works of art; they’re exquisite. But, at the end of the day they are just quilts, not the British Crown Jewels.
I like quilts. They are homey and artistic and they tell a story. And, I suppose in the long run what I really like is the story, but having something warm and cozy under which to sleep is a nice byproduct.
My sister-in-law, with the help of several friends and family members, made my wife and me a double wedding ring quilt as a wedding gift. It’s lovely. It is signed by several family members who have since died and just a glimpse at it evokes a flood of memories.
Since early June, the Capitol Quilt Show has drawn the kind of folks who can spend all day – literally – admiring, photographing, filming, discussing and ogling . . . quilts. Sometimes their husbands come too.
The fun ends in 12 days, but who’s counting?
Now, remember these quilts are hanging at the state capitol – all over the state capitol. The governor’s and lieutenant governor’s offices are in the state capitol. The governor’s budget office and legal counsel are in the state capitol. The legislature and legislative staff offices are all inside the state capitol.
And, while the state legislature only meets from January through May, there are no fewer than 13 interim committees that meet throughout the summer and fall months. These meetings draw lobbyists and impassioned community activists and others who will testify during these meetings, not to mention legislators.
In other words, it’s not very different from when the legislature is meeting.
Add to this mix myriad tourists who descend upon the building daily – busloads of international tourists, vanloads of daycare children, families just passing through, etc.
Now, picture the kind of people who would be willing to make the trek to Denver from say, Yuma, Colorado or Salida, Kansas to spend the day looking at, recording and discussing quilts.
Got it?
It’s not that I mind the capitol looking like grandmother’s house during spring cleaning or that I mind the pungent aroma of PB&J, fruit juice, banana and tuna wafting up from the basement cafeteria.
I’ve grown used to the school tours and international tours and I am thankful that the capitol tour guides permit their groups to use only certain stairwells and rarely if ever use the elevators.
What I have become increasingly frustrated with are the quilters, who at first glance seem as pleasant as three o’clock rain or a cup of tea on a chilly day, but remain clueless to the fact that they are in the state capitol, not the creative arts exhibit hall at the state fair.
A memo is forthcoming.
My brother refers to it as a “Utah Roadblock.”
It’s basically two cars, next to each other, each in their respective lanes, traveling at the same speed . . . usually 5-10 miles under the speed limit.
This, of course, prevents anyone from passing.
Why Utah? I don’t know. But it’s definitely a roadblock.
When I first started working, I left my house every morning at 5:30 a.m.
I know.
As you can imagine, there is little or no traffic on the road at 5:30 a.m. On snowy mornings there are surplus commuters who, diligently, leave some extra time to arrive safely at work, and join those of us who enjoy the relatively vacant, albeit snow-packed or icy, roads.
Most days now, I leave for work at about 8 a.m., and there are many more folks on the road.
Some mornings are fantastic. I get in my car. I zoom up Broadway and I’m at work in about 20 minutes. Other mornings, it takes twice that and I sit in my car, in traffic, and fume.
On those mornings when the commute is inexplicably slow, and when my view of the road ahead is unimpeded by an SUV, I rarely see two unending lines of brake lights.
What I do see are two cars, next to each other in either lane, four or five cars ahead of me, tootling along as though they were looking for a parking space at Safeway.
And so I have a theory.
I think that the Colorado Department of Transportation hires teamsters (or they might be robots), in intervals of two and three to drive next to one another at the same speed, headed in the same direction as the commute, on dozens of Denver’s major thoroughfares.
They arrive at an appointed location at 7:12 a.m. each morning and leave in 10 to 15 minutes intervals, like shuttle buses. They travel in either lane, next to one another as though some magical bond prevented one from leaving the side of the other.
I think they’re paid a ridiculous amount of money and are encouraged to select roads at random to foil the commutes of other, everyday working stiffs, like me.
In fact, I think they’re paid based on the number of cars each one amasses in a lineup behind them. There might even be bonuses associated with the number of obscene gestures each one receives from frustrated commuters stranded behind them.
Occasionally, there is a lapse in the synchronization of the two or three traffic impeders. Then, like vultures waiting for the lions to leave the carcass after a kill, one or two cars in each lane can break free from the rest of the herd.
Sweet victory! They are free.
They speed ahead as the impeders correct their mistake and close ranks. Sadly, those of us left behind, slump back in our seats and accept that we will be late to work.
The problem for me isn’t that these folks are on the road during the commute. Times are tough and if you can get a job as a traffic impeder, then more power to ya. It pays well, and you’re never late to work.
My problem is I don’t quite understand who let the two slowest people get in front of them in the first place.
At the risk of plagiarizing a friend and fellow blogger, I offer my favorite 10 words . . . well, in a moment.
All of this apparently started as a “Tweet” and has grown into something of a movement, I suspect. I don’t mean that it’s anything like civil rights or postmodernism, but a movement nonetheless.
And so, I was inspired to compose my own list. Surprisingly, listing the words took almost no time at all. Providing a reason proved a bit more challenging, but was an excellent exercise in introspection and discovering balance.
Anyway, here’s my list in no particular order (despite the fact they’re numbered):
- Humorous – I’m not talking about somebody who can deliver a good punch line or crack a joke at somebody else’s expense. I mean someone who actually finds the humor and joy in life and is capable of sharing it with others.
- Propriety – There has always been this sense within me that I should’ve been born in a different time. A bit stodgy and perhaps even a little prude, the word indicates suitability and a sense of what is appropriate. There is security when something is accomplished properly and a pride in knowing that something is right and good. I suppose it comes from having a sense of what is absolute, but I find both this word and the behavior it represents to be uplifting.
- Peculiar – No doubt, I’ll get some flak for this one. First, you’ve got to love the way this word sounds inside your head when you say it – it’s even fun to spell. That it means “uncommon” and “distinctive” is what makes this appealing both in sound and in action. I admit this quality isn’t always an easy one to embrace, but it is almost always fresh and, dare I say, provocative.
- Genuine – Free from pretense and affectation, I think this word, more than others, means the most to me. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. When “spin” is your livelihood, a friend who is genuine is like a cool glass of water on a hot day.
- Gentle – I struggle with this one. When I exercise this behavior, I feel weak and accommodating, despite the fact that I know that it is most often in gentleness that great strength is displayed. Often those who are gentle are overlooked, but finding a friend who is gentle is a precious gift. I am in awe of those who can speak truth and even confront in such a way that it is wholly constructive.
- Warm – Who doesn’t love warmth? This is at the base of Maslow’s hierarchy and for good reason. Warmth is inviting and comforting. It heals and calms. It inspires growth and promotes health. Think about a warm chocolate chip cookie and tell me warmth is a bad thing.
- Strong – My wife is one of the strongest people I know. She can forge through anything and never complain. God knows she’s put up with my shit for almost 16 years so that says something. I don’t mean someone who can keep a stiff upper lip or bench press 250 lbs. I mean the quiet conviction that comes with knowing who you are and not having to prove anything.
- Honorable – It’s easy to equivocate in most of life’s situations and I think most folks would be hard-pressed to criticize. This is one of those qualities that is often overlooked and undervalued. It’s more than just being truthful or honest, it’s doing what you know is right regardless of the consequences – and that’s often not a very easy or popular position to take.
- Mischievous – I know. But, I just can’t help myself. Anne Shirley put it best: “Well, I wouldn’t marry anyone who was really wicked, but I think I’d like it if he could be wicked and wouldn’t.” I love this sentiment!
- Perseverance – As a master at using a variety of psychological devices to cloak who I am, I am always amazed at friends who are vigilant and deliberate enough to see beyond the veil of my inadequacies and fear in order to wait around for the “real” me to show up. I am in awe of a God who is both willing and relentless in pursuing me and find myself questioning his logic.
Now, it’s your turn, both because I’m curious and because it’s a good exercise in reminding oneself what one believes is important.
Seriously, post your 10 words in the comments section below or better still, post a note or use your status on Facebook to publish your priorities.
If you’re still unmoved, send me an email and let me know what you came up with. I’m certain it will be exceptional.
