Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Woodstock Revisited

Woodstock
I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him "Where are you going?"
And this he told me-
"I'm going on down to Yasgur's farm
I'm going to join in a rock 'n' roll band
I'm going to camp out on the land
I'm going to try and get my soul free."
                     -Joni Mitchell

I was a child of the sixties but never made it to Woodstock - my mother wouldn't let me go, LOL. And even though she wrote the song, Joni wasn't actually there either so I didn't feel so bad . . . We were both there in spirit. Joni wrote the song for her then-boyfriend Graham Nash, who was there and told her about it. (I was introduced to Joni Mitchell's music in 1969 when she opened (!) for Crosby, Stills & Nash at a concert in Chicago that year. The next day they performed at Woodstock, minus Joni.)

My favorite album of 1969. Remember albums?? Yes, I'm that old. . . .

Anyway, what the heck does this have to do with quilting?? I've been singing this song lately because my friend Carrie at Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop has asked me to be a Special Guest and Teacher at her shop's Quilt Retreat in WOODSTOCK, Illinois. Get it? Finally, I'm old enough to attend a WOODSTOCK event. Of course, this retreat center in Woodstock, IL is owned and run by Loyola University, the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic University, so I'm pretty sure there won't be quite as much Rock 'n Roll as there was at the original Woodstock music festival in NY in 1969. But who knows what will happen when quilters get rockin'?? A lot could happen.


Hippie Chicks fabric by Marcus Bros. See - quilters can be cool too . . .

According to the brochure, the Woodstock Retreat Campus provides a peaceful setting where individuals and groups are empowered to do the work necessary for reconnection and renewal of the mind, body, and spirit. Located in rural Woodstock, Illinois, about 50 miles from Chicago, this campus features prairie, woodlands, an oak savannah, ponds, and wetlands, as well as a Retreat Center with a dining room, chapel, and multiple community spaces. A beautiful setting for any group, including us rowdy quilters . . . 


Carrie has a lot of fun planned for the weekend and I'll be teaching the Union Stars quilt from my new book. If you're interested in attending this new Woodstock event - the Woodstock Quilt Retreat - and taking a class with me, mark March 11-13 on your calendars. You can't miss it. Hitch a ride if you have to - we are going to have some counter-culture fun. Something to tell the grandkids - "I was at Woodstock". I wouldn't want you to regret not being there in 40 years . . . I might even sing some Joni Mitchell if you ask nice.

Find out more about the retreat center here. Contact Carrie at  http://www.piecefulgathering.com/  for your reservation. Phone: 847-516-7911.

"We are stardust, we are golden. And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden . . ."

Peace. Let's hope it doesn't rain.

18 comments:

Impera Magna said...

I still know all the words to Suite Judy Blue Eyes...

:)

Cheryl said...

We are dating ourselves!! I loved Neil Young! Have a hip time at the retreat!

Kathleen Tracy said...

Wonder if I can get him to appear?? Or are they all dead??

quiltingnana said...

peace...have fun at Woodstock....I missed it too

Marsha B said...

I didn't get to go to Woodstock either, bummer! I won't get to come to this one, miss out again! I use to live really close to there, now I'm in New Mexico and that is a long commute. Have fun, sounds like it will be wonderful!

Irishgirlsews said...

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, I have 2 boxes full of albums (my kids have no idea what they are)!!LOL. The retreat sounds wonderful, can't come but I sure wish I could.
Wendy

Diane said...

I did some of my best fabric shopping at the long closed Prairie Patchwork Merchantile Quilt Shop in Woodstock, IL. In fact, I just finished a quilt using fabric I bought there in 1992. Not as "vintage" as vinyl lps. I was 13 in 1969, but can still sing the entire Woodstock repertoire. FREEDOM!

Jacque. said...

Kathleen...I wasn't quite old enough to go to Woodstock, but I watched the movie a bunch of times. Wanted to have been there, for sure! It's funny...once I went to a dog show in Woodstock, IL and my ex asked if that was where the hippie fest was. Yeah, IL. hahaha. I still laugh about that. Have a great weekend! Love the hippie chicks fabric!

Merilyn said...

Kathy, you weren't allow to go to Woodstock, I wasn't even allowed to see the movie! LOL, too young and impressionable then, our teachers at the school I went to had quite a bit of influence over what type of entertainment was appropriate for young ladies! - boo hoo! I wish I could attend your class, but alas!! to far away - I hope you all have a wonderful time and the setting sounds just wonderful, lots of pics please upon your return!! Love the retro fabrics, and am still a great fan of Joni Mitchell and C.S.N & Y.!!!

Amy said...

Kathy,
I was 14 when Woodstock was going on,LOL! I didnt really want to go,just hear the music.I too had alot of albums,and 45's.I was in love with Neal Young when he joined the band.I still listen to him today........Have a blast teaching,get lots of pics for us.

Jeanne said...

K~ you rock ! Have a fun time at the retreat.

LuAnn said...

I still have that album along with the Beatles first and last. Now the problem is that I don't have a turntable anymore. Have a great time at the Woodstock Retreat.

Mary said...

For Mother's Day last year, my kids got me an electronic turntable. It plugs in to my computer!!! Now I can listen to my albums while I quilt. Stokin'!!!

SueWis said...

I have that album. I should dig it out and play it. "It's getting to the point..."

Kathleen Tracy said...

I don't have a turntable anymore either although I just bought one for my son for Christmas. I had to replace a lot of my albums with CDs so I could put them on my ipod. Now I can play my old albums on his turntable!

Louise said...

My husband has kept a turntable for all his favorites, The Kingston Trio. Didn't go to Woodstock...I was busy wearing my "granny dresses " and rocking my babies to sleep. I think that might have been a year or two after Woodstock though.

Vivian said...

Groovy memories from everyone! I'm at the point in my life where I look at everything in our house with the question, "What will the kids think about this when I'm gone?" My 3 boxes of albums will be gone in a flash, I fear. I think I need to take some time now & enjoy the Supremes, Lettermen, Fifth Dimension, Dionne Warwick, and all the movie albums.
I'm only one state away from Woodstock, IL. I may have to give this some serious thought!

jane nj/wi said...

Missed ny Woodstock as decided too much time off from work....with the mud and alll not sorry so in 1974 made due with getting married to a Deerfield boy at Woodstock county courthouse on a Saturday in divorce court...truth! Judge Carroll preceding...this was also my maiden name. 40 years later we live on webcast coast and last year stopped at Woodstock in ny...nice museum..you can see the statistical problems that many people would have had...

Jane nj

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