quiltersmuse.com Blog

Like it or not, the “hippies” of the “me” generation are aging. With our middle-aged looks and our graying hair, we have a certain common cultural literacy that is lost on people who are younger. Case in point, the other day, I mentioned the “Black pill” to a doctor who is very new to the profession. She is too young to know about “Mash” or to have made the connection. She said, “I could give you a red pill or a yellow one, but I don’t have any black ones.” She said it with such a straight face, I know that the reference was lost on her. Now, most anyone who ever watched the television show, “Mash,” would know that one of the characters was constantly wanting to give up and commit suicide, so he would say, “Doc, just give me the Black pill!” Everyone laughed. It was comic relief. We all understood what was meant. Like me, he was joking!

Another point of reference for the 1960s is Bob Dylan and his lyrics. The song, “The Times They Are A Changin’ ” and the song, “With God On Our Side” remain two of my favorite songs from the decade. Dylan has been called, “The Voice of a Generation,” a title he does not accept. In his mind, he just sang songs. He was not a spokesman for an entire generation, just himself. I can bet that he wrote music and sang because he had to, just like a quilter has to quilt, and a baker has to bake bread, and a writer … has to write! The artist in all of us will not be denied.

Dylan put into words what we “hippies” (or “straights”) could not. When I think today of all the obstructions to passing the current health care bill, Dylan’s words come to mind, – Get out of the way, if you can’t lend a hand – for the times, they are a’ changin’ -. When I think about our military involvements all over the world and our self-righteousness in meddling in state affairs of other nations, if our own interests are served, I think of the words “with God on our side.” Is He really? We are paying a price and that price is the loss of life, as is so painfully brought to our attention in the media, weekly.

Yes, the Vietnam War spawned its own group of social drop-outs, draft dodgers, and drug-popping individuals. We, that is, my generation, were young and innocent. Most of us had not yet made love. We were wet behind the ears! Many of us were students. I recall the midnight vigils at Thompson Hall at UNH, at which time students would stand before a crowd and take turns reading names from a long, long list of those young souls that had been killed in Vietnam, fighting for a war that none of us understood, no one wanted, and to this day, those who lived through the era, still do not fully fathom.

The point I would like you to take away is that built into the turmoil and the stress, young people were communicating within a vernacular of revived folk songs, and cultural understanding, even if that meant a reference to the “Black pill.” Language conveys understanding, but without common points of reference, we lose a chance to communicate.

One last thought: humor is severely-lacking today. We take ourselves far too seriously. This week, I hope that you will find something that makes you giggle, or chuckle, or slap your knee and emit a belly laugh from deep down inside. Certain situations in life require solemnity, but try to smile more. It’s contagious. Besides, this is your only chance. I’ve never seen a real skeleton grin.

Make it a great week!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Charlotte Croft sent the following note after having looked at a blog entry a few days ago about the gravestone of Rufus Leavitt, a 26 year old, Civil War soldier who was a member of Co. A. 6th NH. He died in 1865 as a result of “inhuman treatment” by his North Carolinian captors.

She writes:

Hi Pat,

After seeing the gravestone of Rufus Leavitt, I invited my friend Polly to check out your blog for that day. Several years ago there was a law student living in East Barnard (Vermont) who loved puns. One of my favorites that he came up with was … “East Barnard: Leavitt or leave it!” This is because there are so many people related to Leavitts in East Barnard.

When Bert and I and our older son Eric attended Dud and Jo Leavitt’s 40th anniversary party in Sept. 1965, we were part of the dozen folks who were not related, out of about 125 attending.

But then one summer Bert’s younger brother worked for him and met Mary Van Alstyne. They fell in love and got married in 1970. Mary is a granddaughter to Dud and Jo.

Then John Leavitt’s daughter, Tina, married Art Lewin. Art’s grandfather and Bert’s grandmother were brother and sister. So we are twice connected to the Leavitt family. And indeed, Rufus is an ancestor of Bud’s. Polly says history is interesting.

All the best,

Charlotte

Thanks for the charming story, Charlotte. Love it! We are all so interconnected in this world! Scroll back a few blogs to see the original post.

Pat

Based on genetics and world history, the potato is believed to have originated in southern Peru where it was cultivated by an advanced indigenous population called the Incas, a now extinct civilization. After the Spanish conquest, the potato was toted to northern Europe in 1536. It was welcomed by the poor, subsistence farmers in western Ireland and became a staple of Irish diet.

A PBS program about this crop states that a diet of cow’s milk and potatoes was enough to provide vitamins and health to the multitudes. All was well until one day when a ship pulled into port. Among its cargo was a fungus that was carried by the wind, turning all of the Potato plants black within several weeks. The Irish famine lasted three years, (1845-1848), killing one of every eight Irishmen, and taking the lives of one million people.

Scientists now analyze that the problem could have been lessened had there been more bio-diversity, that is, if more than one variety of plant had been cultivated. Ironically, potato farmers could face a similar problem today. To keep their “client” happy, they are forced to produce tons of Russet Burbank potatoes used to make French Fries for McDonald’s Corporation, a product that is distributed worldwide.

Unfortunately, a certain beetle is fond of the Russet Burbank variety. Although scientists have found a way to genetically-alter this type of potato plant so that if a beetle eats it, the beetle goes belly up, activists among the general population have resisted food from genetically-altered plants. So, farmers are back to square one: using pesticides on their fields.

We have seen that the potato originated in Peru, traveled to Europe and to Ireland, but did you realize that the first potatoes farmed on American soil were produced by a Scots-Irish immigrant on a farm in Derry, New Hampshire? Being a New Hampshire-ite, that is a quaint piece of information. Having been brought up in an Irish family, I do remember eating lots and lots of potatoes. They were a staple commodity.

As a child, I played with “Mr. Potato Head” and “Mrs. Potato Head.” At the time, I think I had to bug my mother for real potatoes into which I inserted various ears, arms, legs, noses, etc. Today, there is quite a variety of these types of toys on the market.

To read more about Potatoes, if you are so inclined, please visit this file: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato I was amazed to learn that today China and India grow 1/3 of the entire potato crop of the world. Potatoes have Vitamin G, found in no other living organism. The potato is believed to prevent and/or help relieve bouts of gout (arthritis of the joints). Potatoes are tasty, nutritious, and a versatile staple of the kitchen. Now, please pass the potatoes. Thank you!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

This morning, a friend brought to my attention a new musical CD that combines both history and some of the finest arias ever written. The artist is Cecilia Bartoli. She has done extensive research about young men who were castrated so that there voices would remain “high” forever, for the sake of the art. In mid-18th century, she says in one interview, 4,000 boys, annually, underwent this procedure in Italy. She has written a “Castrato Compendium” to explain more about this trend, and that accompanies her just published CD. In Italian, the plural of castrato is castrati.

In the words of the artist:

“The age of the castratos was one of the most dazzling and remarkable in European music history. Seldom has there ever been such a complete fusion of sensuousness and splendor, form and content, poetry and music, and, above all, such a perfection of vocal virtuosity, as was achieved in the glory days of the Baroque era. The legendary art of the castratos continues to exert its fascination even today, and despite the great human sacrifice it exacted, a new assessment of this extraordinary period is surely justified.” – Cecilia Bartoli

The cover of the album presents the strong image that the artist intended: a female head and a male body. Bartoli has an exquisite and well-trained voice and seems to have been the right person to have achieved this kind of historical exploration. With her many abilities, she certainly appears to present a true depiction of the time period.

In addition, Anne Rice has written a novel that includes details about the castratos of Venice and Naples.

Patricia Cummings

Press Release sent by CCC Legacy:

PBS: The American Experience

“The 1930s: Civilian Conservation Corps”

Put it on your calendar and tune your TV to your local educational channel.

Monday, November 2, 2009 – 9/8 p.m. Central

The Civilian Conservation Corps is once again in the spotlight on PBS. Robert Stone Film has developed a five part series for PBS under the popular programming of WGBH “American Experience.” This series captures significant events of the 1930s and brings them to us in a presentation that offers us a comprehensive view for our education and entertainment.

Special interest to our readers is the second segment, “The 1930s: The Civilian Conservation Corps.”

CCC Legacy was proud to work with Robert Stone Productions on recommending and locating interviewees. Thanks goes to Robert Stone and staff and WGBH, for arranging for us to present a special pre-screening to our members who attended the Annual Gathering and Reunion in Colorado. It was nice to see that all four people interviewed have been our members at some time: Harley Jolley, NC; Vicente Ximenes, NM; Clifford Hammond, AZ; and Houston Pritchett, MI.

The segments are aired each Monday night through November 23. Please tell your family, friends, historians, students, teachers and others about this series. As a reminder, forward this email to people who you think would be interested so they too can enjoy learning from this “American Experience.”

Previews can be viewed online. Learn more by exploring the WGBH/American Experience website.