New Sidewalks!

As part of Dallas, Oregon's urban renewal district program, the city has decided that we will receive new sidewalks. These sidewalks will include areas for park benches, trees and flower baskets. It's going to be beautiful when it's all done, but look at what's taking up the parking in front of the store today!



The construction crew has been very accommodating about the whole process, including providing us a way to get into the store while they work. Having watched these guys in action from inside the store, I can tell you that they work very hard at what they do.



That's a lot of old sidewalk they're tearing out in giant slabs of concrete. We're also getting a new sewer. You wouldn't imagine that would be too exciting, until you think about the fact that our store was on one of the oldest systems within the city. They never tell you about these things when you open a business. You only discover this after a few problems are encountered. All in all, we're thrilled to be on a new sewer line.



We named this piece of equipment "jaws" because of the way it can get right in there and tear up things.

The whole operation has been very efficient because these guys are serious about what they do. They're using the right equipment to get the job done...in a timely fashion...while looking all nice and tidy when they're finished. And that concept got me to thinking about quilting.

Are you using the right equipment for the project you're trying to create? Or are you trying to get by with whatever you happen to have on hand? Is your seam ripper sharp, or are you using the one you got in high school over 25 years ago? Are your rotary cutters and rulers in good shape? Has your sewing machine been serviced sometime this century? Believe me, if these guys were trying to get at this concrete with a pick-axe and manual labor, they'd be here for weeks. With the right equipment, their work is going really fast.

So now I'm off to treat myself to a new seam ripper and rotary cutter blade. I'm working on nine patch blocks from the 1890s that I acquired recently. I'm sure I have better equipment than the lady who originally put them together. I'll think about how different her life was than mine while I sew on them.