I love how you recreated the quilt that had been a part of your family ... my father fought in the Korean War and came back changed as well. Even then, there were still a lot of problems when it came to black soldiers and, of course, no help for the psychological trauma that he withstood. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I was "the geeky kid" - funny hair, funny clothes, too smart ... books were my refuge when I was growing up. Now, as a grownup, my love of reading has not abated, but I don't have anything to escape from! :)
I am a lover of all things textile, and silk weaving sounds awesome! I loved reading about the true background stories that formed the basis for some of the characters in your novel and I also love that you didn't "tidy up" before taking the pic of your working space! My desk is piled high with books (not enough bookshelves) and a somewhat untidy stack of papers, so when I see someone with an immaculate desk, I have to ask myself "Hmmm...if a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what does an empty desk signify?" :)