quiltersmuse.com Blog

Today was a gorgeous day, not too hot, not too cold. This afternoon, when Jim mentioned that he might do some more “weed whacking,” I suggested that we drive over to a natural area in Concord that runs along the beautiful Merrimack River and take a hike. The wooded trail sports some extremely old-growth pine trees, and an outstanding Shag Hickory, as Jim pointed out. He had begun his college career as a Forestry/Botany major before the U.S. Army sent him on a scenic tour of Germany, in another life.

I was in a rare mood this afternoon and when a Halloween sweatshirt with “Lucy” that says “The Witch is ‘In’ ” fell out of my closet, I decided to wear it. The Merrimack River looks serene on the surface but has strong undercurrents and sometimes eels, formerly harvested for food by Native Americans.

We passed some swampy areas where we stopped to check for Heron or a Snapping Turtle. None seen, we meandered through a plantation setting of pines that have been nicely-groomed. The sun was streaming through to the pine needles on the forest floor. Next, we came to a field area that borders the river. We saw a couple with their two dogs. One little dog was not straying far from them and one of the dogs was at the bottom of a steep banking and was full of mud. He seemed intent on digging a hole at the river’s edge. Some teenagers were hanging out a little ways away. We continued down the trail.

The muddy dog enjoying himself!

The big surprise of the day was in seeing an area cordoned off because just over the edge of a high embankment there is a huge nesting site for a certain kind of swallow. We stayed clear, but watched as the swallows swooped over the water in great numbers. I never knew that swallows nested in sand!

The trail makes a loop so we eventually came out to the field near the pines. We were prepared with bug spray, and were bothered only by a persistent deer fly that was intent on biting my head, but didn’t.

All in all the events of the day were a total pleasure, from beginning to end. I enjoyed presenting a talk about my favorite research subject, Mrs. Ellen Webster, New Hampshire’s Own Quilt Historian, to a receptive audience. I am so happy to live in Concord, New Hampshire, a friendly community where the “river runs through it.”

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Early this morning, Jim and I decided hike in an area where we had never been before. Passing many of our favorite antique stores in Northwood, New Hampshire’s “Antiques Alley,” as well as a quilt shop that was not open, we reached a natural area called, “Northwood Meadows.” Jim brought his camera and captured some of our favorite views of the day. I hope that you enjoy these photos, particularly if you do not live in New England.

Stream at “Northwood Meadows”

Who doesn’t love a baby? This “baby” pine tree is only a couple of inches high now and looks out of place with all of the taller trees around.

This is a pond that we could have hiked all the way around. Isn’t it a peaceful view?

Just across the road from the pond, one of several, was this backwater with dormant pond lilies and interesting shapes of leafless trees. I love swamps!

For some reason, this photo reminds me of the Beatles’ song, “The Long and Winding Road.” I asked Jim to take this shot because I like the texture and shapes of the weeds.

Throughout the woodlands of New Hampshire, one sees stonewalls that were once used on cleared acreage to keep sheep from roaming. Stonewalls are a remnant of a time when raising sheep was an integral part of New Hampshire’s economy.

Here you see evergreen Hemlock trees, but to the left, is a deciduous tree, with rosy leaves, that neither one of us recognized. I like the shape of its leaves, in some instances, almost like a tear drop.

Jim enjoyed the mix of red and green and the textural effect of these low-bush blueberry bushes and teaberry plants, growing together.

This Yellow Birch tree can be identified by its distinct smell of Wintergreen when its twigs are rubbed together.

The textural effect of these weeds is just stunning. We can copy Mother Nature, but when you come right down to it, she “does” it best!

This pine tree attracted me because of its bright, lime color, an oddity at this time of year, but also it’s strange pattern of growth.

We came across one large stone with so many embedded pieces of mica, they looked like glistening little diamonds. Unfortunately, the full effect was not caught with the camera. One side of the rock featured quartz, so it was clearly a rock with interesting features!

When we returned home, we found another surprise:

Of all things! This is a Periwinkle (sometimes called, “Myrtle”) flower blooming on this warm November day (60 degrees Fahrenheit).

Bad weather is in store for us tomorrow, so most likely, it will be an indoor day of cooking and quilting. We certainly enjoyed exploring new trails today and hope to return to the site another time to follow more trails. We heard birds and saw a red squirrel, but saw no deer, just imprints in the dirt that appear to be hoof marks. Thanks for coming along on our journey, today and always. You are kindly welcome!

Patricia and James Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications