quiltersmuse.com Blog

The longer I live, the more I believe Joni Mitchell’s words. We are, indeed, captives on a carousel of time. “We can’t return, we can only look behind, from where we came.” Like all good lyrics, these statements ring of truth.

In fact, we can look to a lot of musical lyrics to guide our lives or make sense of life itself. “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back,” – why, that is another true statement for most of us. Just when we think we are getting ahead, we find that life has taken a downturn in health or resources.

Recently, I needed postage stamps. Stepping up to the window, I asked for more of the Frank Sinatra’s commemorative stamps. They had sold out immediately, I was told. The old boy, famous for the line, “I did it my way,” still has appeal, after all these years.

We wonder if Marilyn Monroe were still alive, if she’d be getting Botox treatments. Sometimes, I believe, it is preferable that these adored icons die young. It preserves the memory of the loveliness of their youth … forever.

We never saw JFK with gray hair and a long white beard. Nothing wrong with gray hair. I have it myself. I hope to bypass the long white beard, however.

Those are all of my morning ramblings for now. The sun is shining and I’m going to try to find my leash and take myself for a walk. Silly me!

Patricia Lynne Cummings

Tonight, we attended an excellent lecture, at the Wright Museum, by Dr. James Kimble, Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University. He discussed imagery of dead soldiers in periodicals during a three month period of 1943 (World War II). This is the second year in a row that we heard Dr. Kimble speak. He is currently working on a new book that will be published in a year or two. His insight into propaganda events of WWII is stunning.

A couple of weeks ago, we attended a lecture/demonstration about how a woman (every woman) got dressed, in many layers of clothing, both summer and winter, in the 18th century. The couple, Adam and Mary Spencer, live in a house built in 1780, and participate in a lot of reenactments, from Fort Ticonderoga to Colonial Williamsburg. They brought along Linda Baumgarten’s wonderful book, that I’ve since purchased, but not had time to view. The meeting was at the Madison Historical Society. Coincidentally, I will be speaking at the September meeting.

There are so many events going on in New Hampshire, in every season of the year. I feel so lucky to live in a state with many historical societies and museums, not to mention antique shops which pseudo museums unto themselves.

I always love to learn, and I look at these museum programs as an enhancement of my education … because they are! Whenever I attend a lecture of any kind, it is my habit to take notes, an ingrained approach, to be sure.

Well, that is my update. I’m no longer calling around to find someone who has a “black pill.” My faith in humanity has been restored by several people who have been very helpful, responding to my plea for help. I’ll continue to hope that the rest of everything works out. Have a good Wednesday!

Patricia Lynne Cummings

Look closely and you will see the American flag on the left of the photo, and much devastation on the right side. Photo taken from the Northwood, NH side of the lake.

This report of a “funnel cloud,” i.e. “tornado” will not come as news to those of us who live in New Hampshire as it happened a few days ago. Today, we drove to Deerfield because it is the town where I grew up and I wanted to see if I could view any tornado damage from the road. Side roads where most of the damage occurred were being manned by Deerfield and Northwood police and only local traffic was allowed through.

Backwater of Northwood Lake shows trees blown over, on the edge.
On North Road in Deerfield, we could see trees devoid of their branches and many of them pushed right over, heavy roots upended. The most sickening site of all is the one seen below. I believe that this must have been the former, two story, Log home of Brenda and Harley Stevens. When the storm hit, unexpectedly, the structure collapsed, killing Brenda and injuring her husband and grandson. She was the only fatality of the violent storm that tore through four communities in a short time.

Machinery is already at work, removing the rubble of what once was (presumably) the home of Harley and Brenda Stevens of Deerfield, NH.

A final view across the water, from the roadside in Northwood. More damage from the tornado.

Hearing about this tragedy makes me ever-mindful of the fragility of life. One does not expect to be living one moment and have one’s life snuffed out the next minute. This past weekend, parishioners were attending a church service in Tennessee, listening to children sing in a rehearsed performance. Suddenly, a gunman burst in and shot a man dead. Three men (heroes) jumped the assailant and pinned him down until the police could arrive. They were kind enough not to take the gun and shoot the madman in the head, while they had a chance.

Tragedies happen, whether man-made or as a result of the whims of nature, and they should make us all stop and ponder the “what-ifs.” I will leave those thoughts to your imagination. It was sobering to see my old town torn up in this manner. There is a lesson to be learned from everything in life and some lessons are just too hard, especially when they involve loss of life.

Patricia Cummings

Pat at Sculptured Rocks, Groton, NH

This morning, before it became too hot, Jim and I took a ride to Groton to see a geologic rock formation carved by nature, thousands of years ago. Through this gorge, called “Sculptured Rocks,” runs the Cockermouth River. Cockermouth is a name that originated in England. Most of the settlers of this area were English or Scots-Irish.

The morning was beautiful and clear. The woods were wet from yesterday’s torrential rains. I enjoyed seeing the various forest plants, the large mushrooms, the ferns, and the moss. This spot is a local swimming hole for those who want to cool off. Emerging from viewing the rushing waters and rock formations, we found wild low bush blueberries to pick and eat, near the road.

The cool air coming off the water was refreshing. We followed up this experience with a stop at the Nature Trail in Hebron, owned by the Audubon Society. We saw no birds, just heard a crow, but underfoot, there were two tiny toads, on the just mowed field trail. All in all, we had a pleasant time.

Patricia Cummings

Today, I had the distinct privilege of reading two, 5 year diaries of the woman whose life I have been intently studying since March. Just when I thought that I might be getting close to being ready to create a Bibliography, I realize that I have more to do. This document is not officially a report any more. Rather, it is an “e-book,” as the text exceeds 100 pages, in addition to the several hundred pages plus of “quilt charts.” Reading the diaries elicited a verbal “Wow” on quite a few occasions.

Entries mention when she created various charts, and where she gave quilt, bird, and Bible lectures, and other details that are just too extraordinary for words.

I am the recipient of additional photos of Ellen Webster’s family members, and they are wonderful in a way that only old photos can be.

This will be a continuing marathon for me to collate all the new information and to wind down toward completing this project. I can not remember when I have had so much fun with a research project, and I am eagerly anticipating everyone’s enjoyment of the final product.

Patricia Cummings