quiltersmuse.com Blog

Stories, passed down by word of mouth are a funny thing in the way that they can change drastically, over time. If you are as old as me (older than dirt), then you will have experienced this in your own time, either with stories told about you, or with stories that you’ve heard about other people that are simply not true. The core ingredient in any believable story is that it have some element that either is true, or could be true. One story I can think of readily, is a relative saying that I had an advanced degree in a subject that I do not. It is within the realm of possibility that I could have earned that degree, yet, I did not. I hate exaggerations. I feel that I am enough, just being who I am, and just having actually done all that I have done!
Yesterday, while visiting with family members, I again realized the importance of stories. We want to remember something of our “people,” because who they were will always be a part of who we are.

There will always be those who did wonderful things, worth remembering, and there may also be family members who were less honorable. In any large and extended family, there is a mix of soldier and scoundrel, achiever and ne’er do well. That is how it should be, human nature being what it is.

I encourage you to write down EVERYTHING you know about your own family members and their history, including their medical history – what conditions they suffered from, and how and at what age they died.

So much family history becomes no longer available, or no longer readily available when any of us passes. We take each day for granted and expect to be around, and we don’t think how much correct information will mean, in the future, to those of our descendants who have access to it.

An ideal family history should include photos. If you have a large family, this project could easily blossom into a multi-notebook affair. Someone has said, “When a man dies, he takes a book with him.” If you can leave information about how things were when you were growing up, the details of daily life that are not in the history books, you will be providing a great service to future generations.

With my first grandchild about to be born, I am considering doing more writing on the topic of family history and my own personal history. At least if the stories are in writing, there will be less chance of them becoming transfigured to the point that they are no longer true.

Food for thought…

Patricia

Yesterday, I was completely thrilled to receive a holiday package. Among its many, thoughtful goodies, was a copy of a magazine I had never seen before: German Life. I have only begun to look at the publication, but already I am so happy to receive it. The first mini article I happened upon was the true history of the song, “Stille Nacht.” Seems that the treasured carol has been shrouded in a bit of a legendary myth itself.

I was inspired to re-record the song this morning, and post it and its German words on the website, plus more historical information that I have been gathering.

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/stille_nacht_in_German.htm

I love to learn, and it is always exciting to find updated knowledge. One source, no matter how authoritative it may appear, does not always have all the facts 100% correct, 100% of the time. Luckily, in this information age, knowledge is more accessible than ever before.

History does not change, but our understanding and interpretation of it can be altered, as documented facts come into play. That’s a wonderful thing, and good to keep in mind!

Close friends who know us well, also know just the right presents to give. They understand our interests. They give a gift, not out of obligation, but because they truly want to express their love and good wishes. This year, already I have been blessed by countless gifts from the wonderful people in my life. “Blessed” is truly the word.

I count You among my blessings. Without “you” individually and collectively, I would not take the time to keep sharing information, to the best of my ability and talents, at any given moment.

Happy Thoughts are going your way today.

Patricia

pat@quiltersmuse.com

Hello:

Today, I typed an article for you to enjoy:

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/christmas-stockings.htm

I was able to resurrect an old black and white family photo, one of the few that I have. Of course, my mother was probably the one who took the picture, and my other brother and sister are not in the photo. I could not find the picture I was seeking, however, one that shows the four Christmas stockings hung on the fireplace! That will surface again, one of these days, probably next August. Things have a way of hiding!

Grab a candy cane, sit back, and enjoy!

Patricia

Just for today, I will try to ignore the rude, jealous, belittling creeps I run across in this condition called “Life.” Just for today, I will try to overlook their pettiness, their meanness, and their need for attention.

Just for today, I will try to be patient when someone cuts me off, when I’m driving. Just for today, I will attempt to forgive severely misbehaving children, in public places, who are not being given the benefit of parental correction.

Just for today, I really will stretch to try to give people the benefit of the doubt, knowing that these same people most likely would NOT do the same for me.

Just for today, I will pray for a touch of human kindness, both given and received, in this temporal condition of ours.

Patricia

A few years ago, I designed and made a snowman pillow, for no particular purpose other than the enjoyment of doing so. Oh sure, I was teaching needleturn appliqué, at the time, and I suppose I must have toted the piece along to class to show my students on the chance that I might inspire them.

The concept for making the snowman is really simple. I used a drafting compass to create three circles, each smaller than the other, positioning the fabrics where I wanted them, and appliqué-ing them down.

I cut out an orange triangle, and needleturned that for the nose. I sewed on black buttons for the eyes, and I made a “scarf” by knitting two little strips with green yarn and positioning them, tacking them down with sewing thread. For the mouth, I used Outline Stitch embroidery, and then an “x” at either corner of the “lips.” The hat is applied in two sections, one part being the brim. I used Buttonhole Stitch.

Making this snowman was almost as much fun as making a REAL snowman, maybe more fun, as I didn’t have to get wet and cold. Of course, I could not make a snow angel. A current TV commercial does show a little boy doing just that, making a snow angel in his living room, with his toys.

Anyhow, I thought I’d share a photo with you. As you can see, as pillows go, the pillow itself is an amateur’s attempt at pillow making. Over the years, the pillow has assumed this strange, winged shape. I don’t care. It does me good to laugh at myself, something I’m doing more and more lately. I have decided that I don’t have to be perfect. In fact, that should be my New Year’s resolution…to stop trying!
With no snow in sight for the near future, I will have to be content to look at the snowflakes on the pillow. Looks like this will not be a white Christmas, after all.
Patricia