Quilt shop rebels

I am alive, readers! And making some public appearances: Feb. 28 at the Little Rock library (free/streamed), and March 9 at Melba’s Po-Boys. If you’re anywhere near Melba’s you don’t have to ask where it is.

News here is that I went behind the scenes at work to start reporting and researching a new book about women wielding power in unexpected ways. More as events warrant. So this is just a quick note to share a passage from one of lyz’s recent newsletters:

I am planning a trip to Texas to visit my parents in March. My parents live in a small town in a dry county. It’s literally the plot of Footloose over there. And I was telling my mom she better procure some booze. During the course of the conversation, she revealed to me that, despite the fact that the county has banned liquor sales, you can buy gin and vodka at the quilt store, because those are used for dyeing fabrics. And when I found out that my mom’s quilt store is a secret speakeasy, it made me remember how much I love those resourceful Texas broads. These are my people. The women that made me. Now, find a fabric arts-related use for whiskey before March 8, okay?