This summer, I saw a few Buffalo in a zoo. They are large, rather sedentary creatures. The show states that if one of them is hurt, the whole herd gathers around, making each of them easy for the hunter’s gun to “pick off.”

I become enraged at injustice, and that is pretty visible at every turn, when we look at the history of western expansion.

I lived in California in Joshua Tree country, up with the Roadrunners and rattlesnakes. We could see the snow-capped mts. from our desert home, and we could hear the winds that would blow piles of sand right through the closed windows.

I lived in Arizona, and saw the beauty of Snapdragons growing in the Japanese Gardens, and climbed to the top of South Mountain that overlooks the Valley of the Sun (or was it Sun Valley)- it’s a lifetime ago!

When I think of the “west,” I like to recall going over the border into Mexico, and horsebackriding along the sands of a beach at Ensenada, while watching the sparkling waters, glowing in the sun.

I don’t like to think about American troops hunting Pancho Villa. I don’t like to consider the diseases along the wagon trail, every malady from measles to cholera. I don’t like to think about how much the Chinese were hated, merely for working harder than any of the other gold diggers during the Gold Rush Days of ‘49.

I think we have come along way. I also believe that we can never fully appreciate the present, until we at least look at the past, although much of what happened we can never fully grasp. We would have had to have lived then. That’s not to say that we cannot turn a critical eye to historical topics, as we try to make sense of events.

In my dreams of the “west,” I’ll be remembering the Mourning Dove and her nest in the Saguaro cactus at the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. I will recall taking my young son (who now has a young son of his own) to the Phoenix Zoo, in a stroller. I’ll ponder the wonderment of walking along my own street and seeing large Prickly Pear cacti and their fruits.

And, because God gives us thorns, as well as roses, I will never forget a neighbor who desperately wanted us to convert to his religion. He would customarily “gift” us with his homemade Grapefruit jelly. He would watch out the window and the minute he’d see us, he’d run right out with yet another jar of the delicious jelly. By the time we moved away, we must have had several gallons of the stuff. More than anything, it became a contest as to whether we could get in the car, in the carport, and drive away before he would nail us for an hour, with his preaching.

Mostly, I’ll try to keep in mind the “west” as I knew it for about five years. Series such as the one we are watching (and which I bought) provides an historical perspective. Thinking about our roots, as a country, is never a bad thing. This is another wonderful series that is associated with Ken Burns, a New Hampshire film producer whose name is linked to quality documentaries. I highly recommend “The West.”

Patricia Cummings

“The Patchwork Quilt”

Reprinted by permission of the author and the publisher, Charles Scribner’s Sons, from the volume, Six Plays.

COPYRIGHT, 1924, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Especial notice should be taken that the possession of this book without a valid contract for production first having been obtained from the publisher, confers no right or license to professionals or amateurs to produce the play publicly or in private for gain or charity.

In its present form this play is dedicated to the reading public only, and no performance, representation, production, recitation, or public reading, or radio broadcasting may be given except by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45th Street, New York, one week before the date when the play is given.

Whenever the play is produced the following notice must appear on all programs, printing and advertising for the play: “Produced by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH of New York.”

Attention is called to the penalty provided by law for any infringement of the author’s rights, as follows :

“SECTION 4966: - Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composition, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for damages thereof, such damages, in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and representation be wilful for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year.” - U.S. Revised Statutes : Title 60, Chap. 3.

Ed. Note: I was waiting to hear that said offenders would have one ear cut off and be put in the stocks for two weeks, followed by a jail term. I guess the people who decide such legalities were feeling particularly benevolent that day.

To tell you the truth, after reading the whole disclaimer, I have not had the time or energy to go back to this small pamphlet, to read the play. I’m sure many people today would be pleased, if only a fifty dollar penalty were required for violating copyright.

Patricia Cummings

Yet, I have been so lucky to have located all of her writings, to have gathered photos of her, her husband, and her family, and to have personally spoken with two women who knew her, when they were children. I have her childhood letters, and her more serious grown-up letters. I have been to places where she saw old quilts, and I have contacted many organizations with whom her life intersected.

I have put together about 300 pages of material, not yet collated, but almost finished. There are photos - so many wonderful photos - of so many wonderful people and things. And, there are guest manuscripts! This document has no fluff. It is jam-packed FULL of good, solid, and WELL-RESEARCHED information.

Why did I do this? I wanted to celebrate one of New Hampshire’s finest women, an exemplary figure, and one who is little known. What very little I have seen about her, in print, has been flawed. It’s time for a deeper understanding of Ellen Webster, who she was, and what she did. I am proud to present that to you, and I am grateful to the many individuals who got on the bandwagon with me and ferreted out facts, large or small.

A CD of the large document will be sold at the Museum of NH History store in the fall. Our work, my husband’s photos, and my writing, are an outright gift to the museum and it is and has been our intention all along that our efforts would bring some much needed funds into the museum.

When our work is complete, it will be time for celebration. At times, the research has led in different directions, all of them compelling and demanding of some attention. We hope that the general public will thoroughly enjoy the CD and will support the museum in this effort. For us, the joy has been in the doing and we feel blessed and privileged to have had this opportunity to know Mrs. Webster in a way that no cursory or flimsy overview of her life could ever accomplish.

Mrs. Webster - comical, serious, a musician, a quilt historian, a quilter, a good neighbor, a caring family member, a leader in the community, a professor of religion, a scientist, a provider of entertainment for children, and so much more - as long as we remember you, your candle shall never go out.

Patricia Cummings, author of “The Amazing Quilt Charts of Ellen E. Webster” in The Quilter magazine, September issue, and a CD, yet to be published.

This shows the cooperative spirit of early New Englanders. No one had to have the whole pie; just a piece of it.

Ultimately, it is of no consequence to which brand of religion you ascribe. The Methodists will not break through the line at the Pearly Gates any sooner than anyone else. In fact, those who feel superior just because they belong to a certain religion, should think again. Loving God and your fellow man is key to spiritual continuity.

Whether you are a member of “the Church of the Divine Looney,” or no church at all, you are just as loved by the Author of the Universe. To acknowledge that life-giving force is to realize something greater than ourselves that reaches beyond sometimes narrow-minded and exclusionary ideology.

I wish you a Happy Sunday! I hope that your day is quiet, reflective, and creative. Unlike some sects who only sit and read the Bible all day on Sunday, I personally believe that some creative work, such as quilting, on this day, honors the Life Force by which we came to be. Every stitch taken, by hand, can be a meditative experience.

Whomever your “Supplier” is this Sunday, whether it is a church official or simply a Christian radio station, remember that your right to hear any sermon is related to “free speech.” Just for a moment, stop to think of the magnitude of those two words. Remember, too, those souls now gone to rest, who shared one, common, white church with a steeple, and who had room in their hearts and tolerance for those whose religious beliefs were just a little bit different than their own.

Patricia Cummings

In the old days, people were not shoved into an institution because they were sick or they were dying. The family cared for its own. Today, if anything “happens,” a person is shuffled off by ambulance, only to be treated with invasive and non-invasive tests and treatments. But, where are those of spiritual strength who could help to ease the mental suffering of medical ordeals? They are not to be found. We are left to be “numbers” while the family stays at a distance, or purposely keeps away.

Today, we are afraid of seeing someone die. Everything is so sanitized and neat and tidy when death occurs other than “home.” The undertaker whisks the body away, never to be seen again. Cremation is a cheap alternative, not that the results of passing on are inexpensive, these days.

What we have lost is the spiritual meaning when Death comes knocking. I have never, personally, been witness to another person’s demise. However, I envision that it could be a lot more meaningful without hospital personnel running around, trying to “save” a life. In some instances, a person has lived a long and full life and is tired and really, quite ready to “go.” Prolonging a life, in that instance, may seem like a moral imperative, yet, for the patient, it is not in their best interest.

Since none of us wants to leave life prematurely, it’s a tough question to ask, or to answer, but here goes? How would you prefer to live your last moments? Would you like loved ones present? Or, would you like to be alone? Would you like to hear silence or music? Would you like to be attended to by family, or the medical staff of a home or hospital? None of us can predict the future, and people sometimes die in very strange ways, like choking on a cornflake or piece of steak, having a fatal reaction to latex, or peanut butter, or being bitten by a bear or poisonous snake. There are so many agents that could possibly do us in, it’s a wonder we live as long as we do!

I guess the key to happiness is not to worry about such topics. However, from time to time, I ponder the spiritual sanctity of the final moments that all humans must face. I can only hope that I will have a caring friend, at that time, who will help me to consider eternity, and what my life may have meant. Now, back to more sunny matters.

Patricia Cummings

The bed cover you see above was languishing in the corner of an antique store and begging me to purchase it. Actually, my first impression was that I did not want it. As any two color quilt would, it photographs well. The tufts of yarn that hold it together create a secondary interest. The main motif, for some reason, reminds me of a Ship’s Wheel. However, I have not had time to research any published names for this pattern.

We purchased this on the same day that we bought the spanking clean, never used, nineteenth century, sixteen-patch, hand-quilted quilt from a Connecticut estate. The two textiles are decidedly different in workmanship, but one quality that they share in common is that are both finished. That’s a good word - “finished.”

Nineteenth century browns, double pinks, and chrome yellow prints were used to create this 19th century gem.
Hope you enjoy seeing this kinds of pieces of the past.

Patricia Cummings

1) Write about a subject you know well. Your editor and the general public can spot a phoney, who is just trying to “wing it,” a mile away.

2) Pay attention to the basics. If you are writing about people or places, for heaven’s sake, report their names correctly, also spelling them correctly. There is nothing that makes living people more sad or upset than to read their name, misspelled in a print venue, and there is nothing that makes the family of a deceased person more upset to read a misprinted name, either.

3) Give strict attention to details. They matter more than you know. Life is made up of details. If you think they don’t matter, don’t become a writer.

4) If you are giving your opinion, state that it IS your own opinion. Avoid the use of “We” or “our,” as in “We think,” or it is “our opinion,” when you are providing ONLY your opinion. At the same time, do not say, “It is said,” unless you qualify who “says” this. Whenever one writes, “They say,” it appears that the use of “they” is just another disguise for a personal opinion. My father used to exclaim, “Who is “they?” Name names.”

5) If you are presenting data that you did not generate, cite the specific source where you found the information. If not, you will be plagiarizing which is just another word for stealing someone’s “intellectual property.”

6) Know copyright law. Protect your own work, but also respect the copyright rights of others.

If you ask to “borrow” a photo, and the answer is “no,” for whatever reason, accept the situation and move on, without harassing the party you’ve asked for a favor.

7) Spell correctly, and use correct grammar. You know, someone once told me that anyone can write. All that is needed is a “good editor.”

I am here to tell you that your work will be preferred by that good editor, if he/she does not have to spend hours re-writing it, or researching your statements to determine if the information is true and correct. Always cite books, journals, or another other source, as I said before! Document everything!

8) Content that is compelling is imperative in order to draw readers. Gather photos or illustrations or even graphs that will make your points clear.

9) Meet editorial deadlines, ahead of time, if possible.

10) Write in a manner that flows, has connective words, and does not change topics too abruptly.  Consider your audience when you write, but mostly, just write as well as you can, using words most appropriate to the situation.

To BE a writer, is to choose a solitary path. It is impossible to write well while surrounded by crowds of people. You must have enough time alone to think, and to rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite, for as many times as it takes to create a high-quality manuscript.

Check your facts, use your computer’s spell-check function, and if possible, have a friend read any manuscript you generate. Sometimes inadvertent small errors can creep in, and those the computer can not pick up.

Good luck!

Patricia Cummings, columnist for The Quilter magazine since 1999, and well-published in many venues

Some folks received their copy on Saturday, and today, I’ve been receiving nice e-mails and phone calls from some people who thoroughly approve of the article. Only I know that I’ve discovered some fascinating additional material since some of the photos were published. Those couple of updates will be on the e-book that will be marketed via CD by the museum.

I just keep learning more each day, and adding information. At some point, soon, I’m going to have to “call it a wrap” as they say. There are more than 300 pages already.

The nicest thing about research is that I learn so much. First I find one piece of a puzzle, then another, then another and all the pieces end up making the whole story.

Some facts that are discovered may, at first, not seem to quite fit. Yet, in the end, every piece of information is significant and adds up to the whole view.

This project has meant more to me than any other research project I’ve ever done. I became so wrapped up in trying to find out everything I could about Ellen Webster, and in the end, I realize that the more I learned, the more I truly like her and admire all she did.

This labor of love, and I do not say that lightly because I have been running around the countryside to do some of this research, or I’ve been reading or writing for 10-14 hours per day since March, with the exception of three days that I can recall. Even when I was struck with a (temporary) case of Bell’s Palsy in April and May, I was still here at the computer, working as best I could.

I am so happy that everyone I asked for information was so ready to lend advice. It may seem like a trite saying, “It takes a village,” but in this case, it has taken a number of “villages” for me to be able to round up some really neat brain candy. Do you get excited when you learn something new? I certainly do! Oh, and of course, the magazine is showing 12 images of more than 200 and they will all be on the disc. I’m sure you will want to add both the magazine and the CD to your collection.

This particular work is really hard to describe because it is so comprehensive. With the MLA Style Manual, in hand, I am just starting to create a Bibliography. All I can tell you is that “I’m dancing as fast as I can!” I can’t wait to get this information into your hands, so that you can enjoy it. I’ll keep you posted, and if I seem to harp on this subject, it’s because it is a totally riveting one and I’m so happy to be able to share all that I’ve learned.

Patricia Cummings

I have not received my copy yet but someone in Indiana called me today to say how much she enjoyed my latest article in The Quilter magazine, Sept. issue. I am always happy to hear from anyone, especially a dear soul who read the article twice!

There is always more to the story. In this case, there is a lot more. Every day, since March 8, 2008, I have spent many hours reading all of the articles Mrs. Webster wrote and learning about her family and her life. Two members of her family spent a day with us and provided all kinds of wonderful ephemera, letters, and photos, AND brought several quilts.

I have had the assistance of so many people on this project - historians, quilt historians, church people, museums, scientists, writers, other researchers, and others. I am so grateful!

Ultimately, I have gathered so much material together, there is way too much for a book! Jim took photos of every chart design and you just will not believe the amount of documented and researched information that will be on the CD that will be sold by the museum, for the museum.

Though I will not be rewarded in any tangible fashion, I have the satisfaction of having seen this project through to the end, and the joy of knowing that I did a thorough job of documenting the life and the work (all of it) of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster, New Hampshire’s early quilt historian (1867-1950).

Watch for further announcements about the availability of the CD. Staff members are tied up with other pressing commitments. A tentative first available date is September 10. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, enjoy the magazine. I’m so thrilled to be a part of The Quilter!

Patricia Cummings

http://tinyurl.com/5g9dym