Winchester, TX

Chris: David and I found another gem of a town by picking a place on the map to meet for lunch.  I arrived in Winchester, Texas (pop. 68) to find David seated at an outdoor table at a civic center.  While eating our lunch we were welcomed to town by Tom and Margaret Atkins who are active leaders in community events.  We were invited to bike the Winchester, Texas Quilt block Trail that Margaret was instrumental in starting.  Of course we said yes!  This was one of our most delightful rides past wooden painted quilt blocks passing by wildflowers and cows in the bright sunlight of the vast Texas sky.

Before we left Margaret gave me $100 as a generous donation for the refugee quilts that I’ll continue to make when I return home.

I am so inspired by this project and the ways that I see the arts pulling people together in these small towns.  Over the past few years they have raised $12,000 from the quilt block classes and then are able to put that money back into the community. 

The cows.  I can’t get enough of them.

 

Tom is building a boat!  We thought our friend and neighbor Josh would enjoy seeing this project.

What an unexpectedly beautiful day meeting such interesting and creative people in small town Texas.  We reluctantly left town but full of inspiration for what is possible when people work together for the common good.