Quilting Conundrum

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.