Northwind

Block Number: 2A

By Nora Worthen

This block adorns a red barn on a grassy knoll with the blue sky and mountains as a backdrop on the property of Mike and Jill Lucas. They chose "North Wind" because the wind just howls at our home in the winter, and nothing could better describe ourplace." They chose colors in shades of blue on a white background. When the sky is clear, the block looks like it is part of the sky, clouds, and yes, the wind. On other days, it looks like the glistening waters of Lake James.ill is excited about the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, and she appreciates the beauty and honor that these blocks bestow on "our families and our history." She says, "We need to appreciate and recognize the sacrifices generations before us made, so we can live as we do today." Jill has many old quilts from family members and knows the stories they tell. She became very committed to bringing the Quilt Trail into McDowell County after seeing the "Bear Paw" quilt block on Lake Tahoma Road, and made a deal with her husband, Mike, that if he would build one for her, he could choose the block. After much research and contemplation, Mike built a large 8'x8' block and placed it on their red barn, and thus extended the Quilt Trail of Western North Carolina into McDowell County.