The Quiltmaker's Gift in Austin

If you're looking for a beautiful gift to give a child this Christmas check out The quiltmaker's gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken, about a generous quiltmaker who sews the most beautiful quilts in the world, then gives them away. If you're looking for a real life story about a real person in Austin who gathered supplies and blankets fora few homeless women just in time for the cold snap last month, let me tell you about Pat Basilotto. This warm, friendly person made some acquaintances among our city's homeless while making a "street retreat" during Holy Week a few years ago. When the temperatures dropped in mid November she collected some warm things and took to the streets again to deliver them to a few needy folks she knows. Last week I talked to Pat, a substitute teacher here at St. Gabriels, about this event. She was so sweet and humble when telling the story...and I think she has a bit of the "quiltmaker" in her. Magic.