I have no memories of Iowa. I'm not even sure if I ever drove through it during the years of cross-countrying. But, one of my closest friends has plenty of memories to share. She grew up on a farm in Iowa in the late 1930-50's.
Yesterday we walked to a little gallery, to see a couple of quilts. I felt like she was looking for something in them. Later, I remembered that during the 90's, a time when she had gone back to Iowa for an auction at her mother's uncle's farm.
One of the many things she returned with was this old suitcase, full of scraps of old dresses from the 1940's, some quilt piecings, part of a blouse with a pocket and button holes.
And this funny little cloth printed with a windmill and it's countryside, with the tiniest neatest embroidery stitches.
She had given this suitcase of scraps to Janie, I watched it happen, and sighed a little with longing. A few years later, sorting through Janie's things, after she died, I found the case, and took it home. It was put in a closet for some other day.
And yesterday, fourteen years later, I remembered it, went digging, and found it in the deepest darkest corner.
I hope I can create some of the something that she was searching for, maybe it will be a memory holder. Memories of Iowa, and Janie (who introduced us), and of our own dear friendship.
