AROUND THE FRAME

International Left-handers Day Celebration:

a BAQ tradition

Since 1992 southpaws worldwide celebrate their “right to be left-handed” on August 13. This is our day to shine over the right-handed majority we put up with the other 364 days of the year.

The world in general isn’t nice to lefties and we suffer for it. ABC News reports statistics show left–handed people are more likely to be schizophrenic, alcoholic, delinquent, dyslexic, and have Crohn’s disease. Southpaws are verbally slandered-devil’s hand, two left feet, left-handed compliment… Biblically when God returns to earth, we all know where the people on his left side are going…

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From doors to computer mice to popcorn scoops, the world is designed for the majority and you people laugh as we southpaws try to awkwardly maneuver through it.

Only 10 percent of the population is left-handed, of which only one third is female. So being a blue-eyed (another recessive gene trait) southpaw female quilt restorer puts me in rare company.

Since Lefties use the right side of their brain they are known for their creativity. Many shine in the arts-Michelangelo, DaVinci, Marilyn Monroe, Paul McCartney, Celine Dione, Angelina Jolie, others as leaders-Charlemagne, Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Napoleon, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth II and future King William. Six of the twelve post-WW II US presidents are left-handed.

Of course there is the downside of the use of creativity as exemplified by Hitler, the Boston Strangler, John Dillinger and Jack the Ripper.

Personally I’m described by right-handed friends as “quirky” – my lefty bent shining through in all its glory!

Learning to embroider, quilt, macrame and crochet from right-handed teachers isn’t easy. Right-handed teachers smugly tell you if you sit across from them and watch what they do, it’s like doing it left-handed. Little do they know. Yes it’s the same if you can learn from watching the BACK of their hands!

So in honor of our special day, I will be offering left-handed cookies and left-handed mini-quilt lessons at the Born Again Quilt studio (124 W. Wayne St – upstairs) from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Many vintage quilts, fabric, and sewing baskets will be on sale too.

Come revel, shop and save!

Go to www.lefthandersday.com for more IL-HD celebration information.

Visit Born Again Quilts on-line at www.bornagainquilts.com