Musings about quilts and much more; website: http://www.quiltersmuse.com
Jan Aronson just wanted the judges’ feedback when she entered the quilt seen above into a Venice, Florida show. Instead, she won a few ribbons, as you can see. The photo is sent to us by her friend, Charlotte Croft of Vermont. We think it’s great when friends can celebrate a victory such as this. Congratulations, Jan!
Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Virtual Museum
Grandson, Patrick, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2008.
Today is a day to celebrate the Irish and the Emerald Isle. There is much to be said about the Irish, a land that has been ravaged by the rule of despotic outsiders who plundered and abused; a land that is full of charm because of its music, its beauty, and the loving hearts of those who live there now, or whose ancestors came to America, in desperation, seeking honest work and a day’s pay.
St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in 432 and proselytized until his death in 460 by which time he had converted all of Ireland from paganism. He did not realize that centuries later, Protestants and Catholics would murder each other, in the name of religion. The Celts, early dwellers of Ireland, have left a lasting impact on the country. Some of those people, now believed to have been criminals, were killed and buried in peat bogs, presumably so that they would suffer an endless Purgatory, somewhere between earth and sky. Today, their bodies are being found and they are well preserved due to the chemicals in the sphagnum moss. Scientists can examine their long tresses and determine from hair follicles what they ate, over time. In these kinds of tests, we are learning more about the early people of Ireland.
Wonderful Irish leprachaun cookies and a few bunnies, made by my niece, Amy DeNoble and her daughters. Leprachauns were considered, traditionally, to be grouchy as they had to repair everyone’s shoes.
I prefer to think of the enchantment of leprechauns and folklore of Ireland, the pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow, and “kissing the Blarney Stone.” I dwell on Irish humor, a humor that sometimes has its roots in pain. Sometimes, one has to laugh, because in beginning to cry, the tears would fill a river. Like one Irish aunt of mine was fond of saying, while throwing up her hands, “What can you do?”
This was the same aunt who would ask visitors if they would like a cup of tea. Going to the cupboard, she would find no tea. She’d ask, “Would a cup of coffee do?” Going to the cupboard, she’d find no coffee, too. With nothing else suitable to be found, we’d either settle for nothing, or know, next time, to bring our own refreshments. For many Irish, for many years, the cupboards were always virtually bare. Potatoes were the main fare, and disaster hit with the Potato Famine of the 1800s, causing mass exodus from Ireland.
I can only dream of Ireland and County Kilkenny, land of my ancestors. When I think of Ireland, in color, that color is green. Of course, there is the Irish shamrock, its three petals symbolizing the Holy Trinity. There are the green fields of Ireland, immortalized in song and representing the four sectors, one of which is primarily Protestant and English in the industrialized north. “Four Green Fields,” a song written by the late Tommy Makem commemorates this bit of Irish history.
On St. Patrick’s Day, some people celebrate by drinking green beer. Not being a drinker, that would not be me. Nor will I enjoy any (dry) Irish soda bread, nor briny corned beef.
Today, I hope to find time to listen to some of my favorite songs including one hilarious one that includes the statement about a “dearie” - “pulling ‘them’ up and pulling them down and forgot to pull down the shade.” I’ll have to listen to the song again to remember the context of the statement. To me, it presents a funny image. Oh, what is life without humor? I would hate to know!
Whether you bake a cake and add green frosting, croon an Irish tune, or watch a St. Patrick’s Day parade … or even make an Irish quilt today … have fun! Even if you are not Irish, you can still have fun! And, for heaven’s sake, whether you are getting dressed or undressed, please remember to pull down the shade! Erin Go Bragh!
Patricia Cummings
Like many other creative artists and writers, Bob Rotruck believes that the words of his poetry come through him from a Higher Source. I take great pleasure in sharing his poem, written in 1994.
A Misty Morning in Canada. Photo by James Cummings, 2007.
“Mist in the Morning”
I awaken and look at the fresh new day
I seek the bright sun and its first ray.
But this day a pale mist hangs over the east,
It is a beautiful quietness for my eyes to feast.
What is it you see that quiets the mind?
What is it you seek for your eye to find?
A shroud of gray mist covers the land,
It is as though nature has put out her hand.
And yet the earth is coming awake.
I wonder how long it will take,
For birds and bees to look for food,
For the moisture on a leaf to do some good.
See how the mist makes the earth glisten?
Pause for a moment and just listen.
Hear the droplets of moisture fall down,
Kissing the earth it will never be found.
Maybe this drop will make a green thing grow
Perhaps it will grow to be food for a doe.
Or perhaps a tall tree it may become
To cast shade from the sun where heat comes from.
Someday this tree may push clear to the top.
And on the morn the fog it will stop,
And gather the drops of a gray mist,
It holds them there no drops it insists.
It waits for someone to listen I know,
The gray mist waits to display its show.
ROTRUCK - ‘94
Please see more of Bob Rotruck’s poetry on our website by accessing the word search function on the front page. There is also a file about his grandmother and her quilts.
Patricia Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Publications and Virtual Museum
