Charlotte Croft writes: I took this photo at the Woodstock Terrace on Sunday Oct. 11th.
And I took this shot this morning, Oct. 13th. You gotta love Vermont weather… and if you don’t, just wait 5 minutes.
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Thanks, Charlotte, our faithful Vermont correspondent! We love these photos.
Best,
Pat
James Gorham standing in the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Paris, early 1990s
My son, James Gorham, has been vigorously researching family genealogy for some time now. Today, he told me that he has pretty much nailed down the idea that on my father’s (Irish) side of the family, the first generation to come to America were Bryan and Rosanna Smith, both born sometime in the first decade of the 1800s. They and their descendants were involved in textile production in the 19th century in the Blackstone River Valley of Massachusetts.
Like many Irish immigrants, my ancestors helped to build canals and then worked the cotton, woolen mills and rubber mill that were built along the fast-flowing Blackstone River.
This past week, James took a step back in time to our ancestors’ haunts, with a trip to the Blackstone River area. He found the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park and River Bend Farm Interpretive Center to be most enjoyable, and sent along the following photos.
Model of the Lady Carrington, the first boat to “traverse the Blackstone Canal that connected Providence (RI) with Worcester (MA).
James knew that I’d be pleased to see a quilt hanging in the River Bend Farm Interpretive Center, so took this photo:
A quilt called “Churn Dash,” or “Monkey Wrench,” among other names. At first glance, this appears to be a 20th century quilt but I’d have to inspect the fabrics, close-up and personal, to know for sure.
Nice to see that the museum has textile items. My grandson, Patrick, seems fascinated with all of the exhibits including this wheel. Wheels differ. Some were used to spin wool, and others to spin flax.
Looks like this was a great family destination. James’ wife, Rebecca, and the new baby, Hannah, were along for the trip and enjoyed hiking along the trail in the park. Thanks to James for the use of these photos. He continues to delve into family history, on both sides of the ocean, and has uncovered hundreds of relatives, including Rebecca’s family. This has resulted in family reunions from Illinois to Sweden and England. We await further updates on research discoveries!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications, a site featuring a few Irish ballads. Check our Song Playlist.
The Merrimack River runs through Concord, New Hampshire, our town of residence and home to my husband, Jim, for most of his life. The other day, he needed to drop our vehicle off at the shop for a check-up and had to decide what to do with three hours. Armed with insect repellent, his backpack, and his camera, he walked downhill from the dealership to do some exploring along the banks of the river. Knowing that, in the past, homeless people have lived along the banks, I was a little nervous. He came home with photos and agreed to let me share them with you.
This view of the river is looking north to the downtown area of Concord. One can also see the hills of West Concord, site of a large granite quarry since the 1800s.
This photo shows a variety of sumac,” just one variety of sumac that grows in New Hampshire. We have “Staghorn Sumac,” “Smooth Sumac,” and “Poison Sumac.”
The common name for this plant is “Pussytoes.”
Queen Anne’s lace is a late summer plant that I love! I have seen this plant rendered in embroidery pieces with lots of French Knots.
Proof that a beaver has been busy at work!
A lone Lily grows near the Merrimack River.
A beautiful Mushroom stands among eaten and whole acorns, a favorite food of squirrels and chipmunks, and once ground into powder for use in cooking by Native Americans.
A serene view of the Merrimack River
In this back water area, the water appears to be green in color.
A flowering plant called “Joe Pye Weed” or its Latin name, “Eupatorium.” Jim notes that many of the plants seen along the river, grow on a flood plain. They are not necessarily found readily in places this far north where we live, in northern New England.
Another August 2009 view of the Merrimack River in Concord, New Hampshire
This inscribed granite marker is a dedication memorial. The late John J. Hickey was the husband of Anita Hickey, my former boss when I worked at the NH State House. The couple was very instrumental in raising funds to build a fenced-in dog park, down by the river. Aren’t the engraved dogs on the stone wonderful? The stone was prepared by Perry Bros. Monuments and Barbara Perry did the engravings, according to Mrs. Hickey. In addition, she states that Sandy E. Sanel donated the benches for the park. Sadly, Sandy passed away before seeing the completed project, which is a wonderful place for Concord residents to let their dogs enjoy the outdoors.
Hope you have enjoyed this overview of a city where nature is never too far away!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
This is a photo essay about some of the dogs I have loved. First, I’d like to share with you a photo that I took from a car window, while a passenger, going to Calahorra, Spain from Pamplona. We spotted this unbelievable sight:
These two dogs had bike riding down to a science!
When I lived in California, we had a little dog named “Gemini.” He was the sweetest little thing! Being a miniature poodle, he went to the groomer every six weeks, and he hated the bow they always put on his head, and he despised the red nail polish, and the powder. He was all “male.”
Well, we had a sudden snowstorm in the high desert on January 2, 1974, with six inches of snow. No one knew how to drive in it, no one had a snow shovel, and everyone walked around scratching their heads, wondering what to do besides drive really slow, and wait for the snow to melt! Gemini didn’t know what to make of it either.
Gemini with a snout full of snow
When Gemini reached his teen years, he wanted to take the car, but we wouldn’t give him the keys.
My next dog was “Muffin,” a Sheltie/Shepherd cross. She always reminded me of a fox and I just loved the color of her coat.
The last dog I had was Taffy. Here she is at rest on one of the first, bed size, (Irish Chain), tied quilts I ever made, in the 1980s.
That just about sums up my dog experiences, except for being “Grandmother” to Emma, a White German Shepherd. If you check out the Goddard Park file on our website, you will see her there.
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
My grandson, Patrick, and his mother watch a baby giraffe at Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Black African Crowned Crane at the zoo is quite interested in Patrick’s finger. Good thing there is a plexiglas shield between them!
Patrick had the largest sand box of any kid around, on that day in the Lakes Region, New Hampshire. The kid “gets around.”
“Sterling,” the German Shepherd shown here, is related to “Emma,” Patrick’s dog. Here he is giving the pet a hug at Mormor’s house.
Footprints in the sand in New Hampshire. “I am so little, and the lake is so big.”
We enjoy Patrick so much. He’s our first and only grandchild and he’s special. Hope you enjoyed seeing these recent pictures. Every now and then, I have to share a few photos. He’s growing so fast!
Photos courtesy of Rebecca and James Gorham.
Grandmother Cummings
