The Paducah Tour

 On Wednesday, Valerie, her adorable mother and I headed to Paducah. Adorable Mama had some shopping to do at all the usual haunts--Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx, Home Goods. Valerie and I had another agenda. But first, we found the Wall. 

One of the mural pictures on the Paducah Wall

The Ohio River on the back side of the Wall. 

The Wall is an engineering marvel which spans about three miles along the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. It was put in around 1940 after the 1937 Ohio River Flood destroyed a good portion of Paducah. About thirty-ish years ago, someone painted murals on the wall, telling the story of the area. 

After the Wall, we found our way to our true destination, the National Quilt Museum. Yep. It's a thing.

 The place was interesting--think art pieces on fabric. And though these were lovely to look at, I prefer quilts for their history and journey into greatness (Great-grandmammy made this quilt from leftover dresses and great-granddaddy's dungarees. She wrapped my memaw and her three siblings in it during the blizzard of 1903.). All that said, I'm glad I went this one time. Would I go back? Maybe if opportunity and Fate ever collide. 

When we were done with the Quilt Museum, Valerie and I headed to Hancock Fabrics of Paducah. This is the Mecca for fabric. Known by quilting enthusiasts everywhere, Hancock Fabrics of Paducah is two mega-warehouses worth of every known 100 percent cotton fabric print. I did find fabric for the quilt I want to make my nephew. Our life is about to change and I don't know if I'm going to get this quilt done before his birthday in June or if the fabric is going to live in my bathtub for the time being. 

Oh yes, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the other purchase we made: Valerie introduced me to moonshine. Our flavor: Apple pie. It did not go down smooth, but I sure slept well Wednesday night. 

A few choice Quilt Museum pictures below. And yes, all quilts. 

Cats on a Hot Tin Roof

This was my absolute favorite piece.