I still had some corner ends left over from ‘The Pileup’ and didn’t want to throw them out. One of the options I had thought about originally was something with Flying Geese.
Sew, I decided to make a flock of geese. As I was typing in the blog title, ‘Flying Geese,’ Geeks came up first and I accidentally hit it. I loved it!! I thought it was perfect for the end pieces I had and would create the new project starting with the name of the quilt instead of beginning with a pattern in mind.
Many quilt patterns are named by what they look like, log cabin looking like logs, nine-patch having nine-squares to make one square or flying geese because the unit takes on the look of geese flying in “V” formation. The next thing that happens are the variations of the basic design. I think this would have been me back in the 1600’s, I would have wanted to make my quilt different than all the rest.
Sew, some Flying Geese variations came to be patterns like Wild Goose Chase, Goose and Goslings, Christmas Goose and the latest, my unique Flying Geeks. And yes, I’ve made each of these variations, can you believe it?!?!
Above is one version of flying geese called Wild Goose Chase. Originally I was going to put the Flying Geek squares into the Wild Goose Chase, however to get the best use of the leftover Pileup triangles, they were bigger and I didn’t like any of the different arrangements I tried. Thus, a second quilt top I called Flying Geeks was hatched.
One of my original options from ‘The Pileup’ was Pinwheel. I didn’t have that many end pieces left so I decided to use them sparingly so they would be throughout the quilt.
Then for the Flying Geeks I laid out the second set of eight geese in a different design.
And another.
The Flying Geeks were going wild, flying all over the place!!
The Flying Geeks were now becoming a challenge. How many different patterns could I come up with if I arranged eight Geeks another way?
The Flying Geeks are what you might call a ‘sampler’ quilt, using different sample pattern arrangements for the entire quilt. It’s perfect for the Flying Geeks as I think it shows the Geeks flying every which way and not quite sure whether they are going north or south.
One-hundred and twenty Flying Geeks later.
Over the years I have heard different versions of why geese fly in “V” formation, usually at staff meetings when a new director wants to create more ‘teamwork.’ I was looking for it for this blog page and came across a version I liked better. I hope you enjoy it.
“Goose Wisdom“
1. Geese Fly in a V Formation
Researchers have learned that each bird flapping its wings in V formation creates an uplift for the bird immediately behind it. By flying in this V formation the flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if a bird flew on it’s own.
The Biblical parallel:
And all those who believed were together and had all things in common … and the Lord added daily to their member, those who were being saved. Acts 2:44;47
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get to where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust and uplift of one another. In a family or business as well as in the church, when we work together we can get to where we’re going faster.
2. Geese Stay With the Flock
When a goose falls out of formation, (decides it’s going to go it alone) it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone. So it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lift created by the birds in front. Biblical Parallel:
… the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body … – 1 Cor. 12:12
People with as much sense as a goose understand that there is strength in unity and greater security in remaining within the body. In the church we understand that remaining in the body of Christ is a matter of salvation.
3. Geese Share The Work
When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back into the wing and another goose flies the point position. Biblical Parallel:
…the whole body being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies according to the working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body … – Eph. 4:16
You can’t reach your destination or goal unless every body does their share of the work. In church work as well as family work you can’t just think of yourself, your own little world – you have to take turns doing the hard work, you have to be willing to sacrifice so the entire flock (whether it be the Lord’s flock or the flock of geese or the flock of your family) can arrive at its goal.
4. Geese Encourage Each Other
The geese flying at the back honk to encourage the ones up front to keep up their speed. Biblical Parallel:
But encourage one another day after day… – Heb. 3:13a
Geese are smart enough to keep their leaders motivated so that the entire formation can move ahead. They know that if they try to undermine the leadership, they will cause the destruction of the entire flock. A lesson that shouldn’t be lost on those who see “criticism” as their only contribution to their family or their church.
5. Geese Look Out For One Another
When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out with him and follow him to protect him. They will stay with the fallen bird until he is able to fly again or dies. Then they will launch out to catch up with their assigned group. Biblical Parallel:
9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
We should care for those who are down (excuse the pun). The natural impulse is to discard, disown or disparage those who are having problems but the geese teach us that every member of the flock is important.
Summary
We can learn a lot from The Canada Goose. We learn:
- It’s wise to work together.
- It’s wise to stick together.
- It’s wise to do our share of the work.
- It’s wise to honk a word of encouragement.
- It’s wise to watch out for each other.
I add one other bit of goose wisdom that pertains to all.
6. Geese Don’t Procrastinate
They always leave in plenty of time to make it south for the winter. Biblical Parallel:
And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on His name. – Acts 22:16
If geese delay, they freeze to death – if people delay in doing right or serving God, they miss their chance forever. When you see the “V” flying overhead remember the goose wisdom God has given us through them. God bless you.
Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
A gaggle of Flying Geeks resting in my field.
A gaggle and a skein of geese in a nearby field.
The Nose Bump 