Some of the best art comes from needle, thread and fabric. Prime 
example? The annual Quilt Challenge from the Shoals Piecemakers Quilt Guild. It’s on display now at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts in Florence, Alabama, and it’s a definite must-see. Every year, guild members challenge themselves to create quilts using a different theme. This year’s is “My Quilting Inspiration.” Each quilt must portray the theme and use at least one traditional quilt block. Guild members choose best of show, best use of theme and other awards, but visitors to the exhibit choose the winner of the People’s Choice Award by voting for their favorite quilt. And it’s a tough choice this year. The walls of the Kennedy-
Douglass gallery practically glow with these warm and intrically quilted pieces. Every year I’m amazed at the talent and skill of these quilters who create out of their imaginations and bits of cloth. How do they do that? I can barely figure out how to hem a pair of pants. And here’s the other thing. When you first meet some of these quilters, you might make the mistake of thinking they are your typical small-town, down-home, Southern moms and grandmas — and you would be wrong. These women are fierce and feisty artists who stitch their hopes and dreams and memories and stories into works the rest of us can only admire. We’re just lucky they’re willing to share with us. The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Dec. 18. Admission is free. Call 256.760.6379 or visit http://www.kennedydouglasscenter.org/ for details. And while you’re in downtown Florence, don’t forget to wander around. Go visit the two lion mascots on the campus of the University of North Alabama. Grab some coffee, lunch and sweet treats at McGraw’s, Rivertown and Coffee-ol-ogy coffee shops. Dip bread in oil and herbs at Ricatoni’s or chips in salsa at Rosie’s. Have a Chicago-style hot dog or a thick and juicy steak. Shop for clothes, gifts, wine, furniture, jewelry and antiques. Meet artists and fashion designers. Check out Florence landmarks such as the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and Pope’s Tavern Museum. Stroll down historic Wood Avenue and Walnut Street. And go see the quilts.
How cool is it that we have a holiday dedicated to 1) food 
and 2) gratitude? The first one’s easy, but I’m glad to have a day when I’m reminded about the second since I rarely forget to eat but I almost always forget to be grateful. And this morning, my gratitude cup overfloweth. For one thing, I’m grateful to be a guest at Thanksgiving dinner. Yippee — no worries about thawing turkeys and juggling oven space this year! I get to relax and make another pot of coffee and remember the family and friends and good times that have made this past year so blessed. And you know what? I think I’m even grateful for the year’s tough times and scary times and sad times and the very, very extremely few people who have aggravated the &*%@ out of me because that’s sort of part of the deal, too. What fun would it be if everything were a piece of cake? Hmm … cake … coconut cake … carrot cake … and pumpkin pie and pecan pie and chess pie and … Happy Thanksgiving!
Coffee with Cathy 