Wool Straight Furrow by Unknown Quilter, circa 1910
from the collection of Joyce Gross, Petaluma, California, USA

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On many coffee breaks and some lunch hours Ed, my husband, loved to go through the Goodwill Stores and the Salvation Army stores near his work. One day he called me all excited because he had taken his tour and found five quilts at the local Goodwill. "You had better come right over. I don't know how long they will last."

The trouble with the idea was I was broke. Really broke! And there was a toll bridge to cross. Though the quilts might be cheap, I couldn't count on it. I told him I'd come, but I didn't know how.

I started with my purse. Usually there is change in the bottom. I gathered it up and went to the sofa, which should have been a good source. Fortunately, it was a good day, and I came up with quite a bit. There is always the piggy bank. But that didn't take long. How about Ed's pants pockets, or maybe his jacket pockets? Good thought! Maybe we could have beans or a casserole a couple of nights.

I managed to find enough for only two of the five quilts, but this was the one!