05.27.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:11 am by Administrator
As a society, we are in love with animals. The most heartwarming tale I have heard lately is that of a dog adoption that resulted from an intervention by U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes of New Hampshire. Due in part to his efforts, an Iraqi dog that was very special to twenty-two year old, Army Specialist Justin Rollins, has come to live with the deceased soldier’s family. Rollins, called “Ro-Ro” by his comrades in the 82nd Airborne Army division, had become attached to the short-haired puppy, now named “Hero,” right before his death on March 5. The military man always had been fond of his own family’s pets, while he was growing up. Now, his family will think of him as they care for a dog that he loved in that far away land.
Animals often make the news. Remember the air-conditioned dog house purchased by the Bakers? Yes, we humans tend to spoil our pets. Dogs, especially can be our most constant and most forgiving companions. A poignant story was told in a television Hallmark special, some time ago. A dog had lost his master and every day, he returned to where his former owner was buried, and laid on top of the dirt. If the dog was missing, that was where he was sure to be found, waiting for his master’s return.
There is an unmistakable bond between pets and their owners. Pets alert us to danger, “hear” for the hearing impaired, “guide,” for the seeing-impaired, and “search,” for rescue teams. Dogs get frustrated when we are not at home. They do things like grabbing the end of the toilet paper roll and trailing a stream of white throughout the house. If left for an even longer time, they will shred the paper into tiny bits.
Dogs and horses are particularly gregarious. Horses will clamp their teeth onto the boards of their stalls, and “crib,” breaking off pieces of wood until half-circles C shapes have been removed from the boards. They are bored and do not like to be couped up for a long time.
Animal behavior is a challenge, and a study. Sometimes it is predictable. The parents of the poodle we had, when we lived in California, came into this world because his mother jumped over a baby gate to be with “Gemini’s” dad, while their owners were both at work.
Animals make us laugh with their stunts, and they make happy to see them, in all of their glory, in dog shows, horse shows, etc. Sometimes, animals cause us to slow down. Who can move a sleeping cat off of one’s lap, when the purring is just so intoxicating and hypnotic?
People have celebrated animals in photos, paintings, television shows, and even in quilts! I made a quilt with the image of a Dalmatian in the center…and had a lot of fun creating that baby quilt, I must admit. Animals are fun and they bring such comfort. I’m always happy to hear stories that have a great ending, like the one I shared. I think that the Iraqi dog will bring a lot of peace to the soldier’s family.
Hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.
Patricia Cummings
Concord, NH
http://www.quiltersmuse.com
http://tinyurl.com/2a8437 link to a WMUR news story about Hero’s arrival.
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05.24.07
Posted in Musings, Uncategorized at 2:41 pm by Administrator
For those in the world of “work,” many will take a vacation day tomorrow (Friday) so that a four day weekend will be in store. A holiday is always a welcome respite from work, but Memorial Day (on Monday) is always a very special day because it is a day that we honor our loved ones gone before. Especially, we pay tribute to military members who have given their lives to protect Liberty as we enjoy it today. This year shall be no different.
Besides the usual trips to cemeteries to plant graves, say prayers, and pause for a few moments to reflect on the lives of formerly living people, anyone who is human cannot help but also consider the short time we are all here. One line of a song in Spanish says, “Soy polvareda que al viento va,” - “I am but dust that blows into the wind.”
In addition to poetry selections on our website’s poetry page, such as “Flander’s Fields,” and “High Flight,” this week I have added a mid-nineteenth century hymn to our site, “Work, For The Night Is Coming,” that speaks to the shortness of human life.
Some singers reflect on the their lives, in retrospect manner while they are still here, such as Frank Sinatra’s song, “I Did It My Way.” (We’re so glad he did!) The fact of death is acknowledged in prose, poetry, and song, and our fascination with it, as humans, seems unending.
On Memorial Day, we look at the impact of wars, including the current one. We measure and demonstrate our own patriotism by standing at attention, hand over heart, when the parade flag passes by. We sing traditional, patriotic songs. We eat some of the season’s first potato salad made with chives from the garden, and perhaps enjoy a barbequed hot dog. If we are lucky, we’ll eat a piece of pie, cake, or fresh strawberries and cream, with biscuit or not.
While we are celebrating the sacrifices of soldiers, we are also elated that it was not OUR personal sacrifice. Life goes on, babies are born, the economy rattles along. We all pay the price for peace on our shores, even indirectly, when that means that a fill-up at the pump costs a little more.
Yes, Memorial Day is a time to laugh and a time to cry, a time to appreciate those still with us, and a time to honor the vacant seat at our kitchen table. No matter what language one speaks, a universal theme seems to be “Remember Me,” - “Je me souviens.” Although we may sometimes feel like one ant in a teaming, swarming ant hill, we must remember that we are each important to the Author of the Universe. If we are honest with ourselves, we all hope to be remembered.
Enjoy the day, but please take a moment to reflect on this bittersweet entity that we call “Life.” Savor the joy of every waking moment and hold close those around you. On Memorial Day, we shall honor our heroes with pride, and treasure the fact that they gave their all, just for us.
Best Regards,
Pat
http://www.quiltersmuse.com
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05.23.07
Posted in Museum News, Quilting at 12:58 pm by Administrator
If one wants to learn more about daily life on a farm, in the 1890s, there are few places to go. One of those is practically right in my back dooryard, in a manner of speaking.
The Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont, is well worth the trip!
There is an extensive article on our website. For now, I will provide this teaser: the photo of a Victorian Crazy Quilt Pillow (reproduction) that looks cheerful, and sits on a settee in the corner of the parlor of the 1890 farmhouse that was occupied by the farm manager and his family. If you have the chance to visit the farm, please do. You’ll be so glad you did!
Lovely Crazy Quilt Pillow, made by Loeky Merlo
Have a great day!
Pat
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