Friday, December 3, 2010

A Quilt Is Like A Hug...Again !


I wanted to revisit a post that I did way back in December, 2008!

I reckon that it's the cold weather that brought this to mind! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

A Quilt Is Like A Hug...

It may not be necessary, but it sure makes the night pass better!

There's something about sleeping under a quilt that reminds me of better days long ago, snuggling down in the bed, listening to my parents talking quietly in the other room, slowly drifting off to sleep with that old quilt pulled up to my chin. Something about sleeping under a quilt made everything just seem more secure somehow.

Quilts always seem to have a friendly smell to them as well. Maybe it was because they were hung out in the sun to air out, maybe because the quilt box where they were stored was probably cedar, or maybe just because some of the love felt by the last person to sleep under that same quilt somehow lingered to give you a little hug at bedtime when the lights went down.

I can remember a time when my Dad worked at a big store with appliances and furniture. He had brought home some furniture pads used in moving, and boy, those pads made great pallets and bed covers! Sleeping under one of them kept you snug and warm as could be...wasn't fancy as one of the handmade heirloom quilts we always seem to have around, but they served the purpose when cousins came to visit.

While putting a list together of preps I needed for the move to the desert, I decided to browse around for wool military blankets. Warm, but just not quite the same without that little extra weight, ya know? But like most things listed as "Surplus" these days, the Preppies (not to be confused with preppers) have driven the price up to the point of being almost ridiculous, and the ones I found on line were mostly imports! Damn Preppies!!

Then I had a "eureka" moment spurred on by the memories of those "Foley's quilts" (as my sister's and I called them) and looked up moving supplies on the net! There they were in all of their remembered glory! And they were priced in such a way that an old prepper like me could afford more than one without having to sell a single pint of blood! Best part, they even had some made in the USA!! I'm including the link here so that you can take a look if you want.

Now I am feeling better about keeping these old bones warm during the cool nights in the desert, while I lay in bed and am being sung to sleep by the lullaby of the coyotes and cool desert breezes. I can recapture some of that magical time when I would slowly drift off to sleep, feeling snug as a bug under the hugging type weight of a quilt, and hearing the quiet voices from the other room as though they were telling me all was right with my world.

Now, how about some fresh coffee, my friend? A quilt might just feel good tonight!

Now I might just say that when I wrote this...I was planning a move to the desert. Plans that because of certain family issues have been put on hold for now.

So no need to worry! The Hermit will be around for a while to keep the coffee hot! Want a fresh cup?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

The weight is really important! I bought a quilt made of Fleece and it´s good in every way, but just to light. There´s nothing like the old homespun quilts we used to have. But as You say, the price really makes one want to cry :-) :-)

Have a great day now!
Christer.

HermitJim said...

Hey Christer...
I think that the very thing that makes a quilt so comfortable is the weight!

Nothing like that feeling!

I appreciate you dropping by today!

Catman said...

I've never experienced a quilt, so I'll have to take your word for it.

Growing up in coastal Northern California, it rarely ever got that cold.

My favorite blanket as a kid were Viet Nam era poncho liners.

HossBoss said...

I'm sure glad you reposted this. I must have missed it the first time. But what a great tip! I have had one or two moving blankets over the years, don't even remember how I got them. I always used them to protect stored furniture or on little short moves I made myself. But you're right ... they're very well made, warm and a nice comfortable weight!

Thanks for reposting this!

Kellie said...

I have an old quilt my granny and her friends made me; with all their names embroidered on it. And I LOVE furniture pads!!! lol! I grew up with them. Camping, under and over my sleeping bag as a kid, wrapping up in one when I got locked out of the house and slept in the car, and most of all -learning how to walk all over again after having my foot chewed up in the spokes of a bike.
thank you for helping me remember all these wonderful memories!!

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One,
I remember reading this the first time around and it was good to read it again. It just gives you that warm feeling just to read it. Thanks for posting that again.
Didnt you have surgery on the other eye this week? I am thinking all is well then.
Yes I want to share a fresh cup with you pass the pot please.

Anonymous said...

When my Grandmother was alive, she and her daughters would have 'Colcha partys', erecting the wood frames in the living rooms on top of chair backs. Grandma had already carded the wool to fluff it it up. All of them would work in late afternoon to nights, happily 'clucking away' :^), gossiping into the night. Good times.

Births in our family were celebrated with a colcha being given to the parents. I still have a few of them - they are great for cool - cold nights.

Thanks for memories HermitJim - have a great weekend.

Baby Sis said...

Bubba -

Still as good the second time around! I don't know what happened to all the Foley's quilts, but Rod has some furniture pads from his moving days, so we're still "covered". Nothing better, although I use my handmade quilts daily now. And the old "picnic" quilt hangs on a rack with the flour sack side showing.

Love those quilts, and the memories, and you -

Big hugs -

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
Maybe if you and Felinae ever get the chance to go to the mountains, you can take a quilt along! Sure makes some good sleeping!

Great for camping, napping or just sleeping in the Winter!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey WWRWH...
I know as a kid, we always had good uses for those old "Foley Quilts" and we sure put them through their paces!

Some of the favorite things from the past didn't seem so big at the time, but seem great now!

I really appreciate the visit today!


Hey Kellie...
Sounds like you put your furniture pad through the hoops as well! Really came in handy, huh?

I'll just bet that the autographed quilt has a place of well deserved honor! I think using it is a great way to remember those that made it!

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
Both surgeries went well, and I'm glad to say that I am seeing quite well from both eyes!

Glad you enjoyed the read the second time around! Cooler weather makes me remember some of this stuff!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!


Hey Sis...
Fun to go back and relive some of the better times, huh? Like hiding in the quilt box during "hide and seek"! Makes you understand why animals like to build nests!

I'm sure happy that you could drop by today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

Quilts have been a big part of our lives here. My wife has made quilts and we use them all the time. I even wrapped my precious old dog in one when I had to lay her to rest.

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
For many years, quilts have been used a lot to lay loved ones to rest.

Nothing says love like a home made quilt!

Thanks, buddy, for stopping by today!

Barney, The Old Fat Man said...

WOW did that bring back some loooong ago memories. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

My Grandmother made a quilt out of Granddads old wool suits.
I loved it. Especially when my Dad turned off the heat in the upstairs bedrooms where I slept. I still have that quilt but it is ripped and torn in places. When my first was born I folded it in half and sewed it up for a crib blanket. Now my 18 year old has it on her bed. What a blessing a quilt can be.
andy

Marjie said...

My grandmother bought me a quilt to take to college, and we use it to this day. It's an XL twin quilt on a king sized bed, but that just means my dearly beloved has to snuggle up with me to share the quilt!

HermitJim said...

Hey Barney...
I think nearly all of us have a quilt memory or two in our memory somewhere!

Just another one of those things that get sort of pushed to the back of our minds!

Glad I could dredge up a couple of them for ya...and glad you could come by today!


Hey Andy...
I never thought of making a quilt out of old suits, but I did see one made from old neck ties before!

People just used what they had enough of, I guess! Now days, we call it recycling!

Bet there are a lot of memories associated with yours!

I sure appreciate the visit today!


Hey Marjie...
Maybe granny had an idea on how to help keep the young couple going, ya reckon?

Sounds like a good way to entice some cuddle time, if ya ask me!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

Anonymous said...

It was the last quilt Grandma made.
Back then it was called "You never throw anything away". That is why she had the old suits.
andy