05.25.08
In Flanders Fields
To hear this famous poem recited, please visit In Flanders Fields.
Have a safe Memorial Day holiday.
Is Anybody Listening?
Years ago, when I was in junior high school, I received some unsolicited and unwanted advice from a well-meaning teacher. He said that if I was ever “troubled” about anything to run into the back field, waving my arms, hollering, and even swearing, to get rid of my frustrations. I didn’t recognize that I had any frustrations. I was a quiet kid, maybe too quiet. The transition from a city school, taught my nuns, to a small country school that had two grades in one classroom, was a little, shall we say, “daunting?”
Today, I have no trouble becoming justifiably angry. However, then, as now, I realize that no one really wants to hear someone who is on a rant. People have their own problems, real or imagined.
I’ve figured out one difference between men and women. If a man get put out, he will do something, in fact, he will do anything that will change the way his mind is tracking. Women are different. They seethe and pout, they call their friends, and plot revenge. They hang onto any given emotion, way too long.
We were driving along a few days ago, and I spotted a sign. I’ve heard the expression before, but it makes a lot of sense, “Let go, and let God.” There is so much pettiness that we cling to for dear life. It’s all “small stuff,” to quote an author. Ultimately, we do not have much control over many experiences we have in life, and it’s good to look at the “Big Picture.”
If you have a troublesome person in your life, there is little you can do, except perhaps to ignore him or her. No one can truly change another person. We can’t even change ourselves - old habits are hard to break.
There are two courses of action to take when you are upset and feel defenseless. Do something physical. Take a walk, weed the garden, go swimming. You get the point. The other thing (not) to do, is to sit around having a pity party, an “oh, woe is me” convention. It’s up to you. Goodness knows, you have to live with yourself. Happiness is a condition you can choose for yourself, not because of other people, but sometimes, in spite of them.
That said, I hope you are having a lovely day today, on this sunny Sunday. All the flowers are glorious, and the birds are building nests. I’m grateful for the little things in life. I hope you are busy making something beautiful: a cake, a quilt, or anything else that brings meaning to your life.
Patricia Cummings
05.23.08
New Idea for Cheater Cloth
This photo of Mola cheater cloth was taken by Linda Lane Thornton in Colon (with an accent on the second “o”), Panama. She reports having enjoyed my article in The Quilter, about the topic of cheater cloth, in the March edition. We always love to receive updates from readers, and thought this one to be particularly interesting. As Linda says … this kind of cloth could save time!
Patricia L. Cummings
