phentermine side effects

phentermine side effects

Friday, July 31st, 2009

No doubt, every person who has ever lived has wondered how he or she got here, in a spiritual sense; what their goals in life should be; and at the end of life, we wonder why it went so fast and what life truly meant. One considers whether “right” choices were made, knowing full well that there are no really “right” or “wrong” choices, except perhaps in a moral sense. There are only “alternate” choices.

echinacea

We lock our doors, and set home alarm systems, and try to protect ourselves from things that go bump in the night. What we overlook is that there usually is no real danger from exterior sources. Ultimately, our own bodies are the enemy. We are prone to self-destruct.

Between the cradle and the grave, we go about our business phentermine side effects there will be a tomorrow. Pick up any newspaper, in any city, on any given day, and the obituaries will reveal the names of those who thought there would be a tomorrow in their future. Yet, the person choked on a piece of steak, or got run over by a truck backing up, or died of hypothermia while hiking in the mountains, or a million other ways that people can and do write their final chapter.

Being a creative person means that someone will leave behind more extant physical objects than perhaps others. For example, my quilts reside with friends around the country and around the world. My quilt history and textile articles, poetry, and songs have been distributed to millions of people via our well-trafficked website, newspapers, and print publications. Quilt directions I have written have resulted in the making of more quilts than I can imagine. My “hand-outs” for classes I’ve presented will outlast me. People tend to hang onto such ephemera. My words and my works are my personal legacy, and so are my direct descendants, one son and two grandchildren.

When life is uncertain, as it is right now for me, it is good to take account of the things I’ve done right in life. No one is perfect. My biggest mistake was in thinking that life would continue for a lot longer, pain-free, and problem-free.

For now, all I can do is to appreciate what “is:” the flowers in the garden, the toad at the back door, the Cardinal in my backyard, the satisfying little quilt project I designed and am working on, the nutritious food that Jim prepares, and having such a loving husband and good friends. Life is composed of the “little things,” and in the end, the small kindnesses and the phentermine side effects are really ALL that matters.

I celebrate the memories of all of the opportunities I’ve been given from my youth, going forward. In the end, I would not trade my experiences, both good or bad, for those of any other living soul, or, for that matter, for all the tea in China.

Take a lesson, enjoy today. The rainy days will come soon enough.

Patricia Cummings

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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

phentermine side effects
Words & music by Paul Simon

phentermine side effects

dyer's chamomile flower

Dyer’s Chamomile in our garden

When I was a teenager, I enjoyed the music of “Simon and Garfunkel,” including the lyrics above that are only part of a song. Old friendsphentermine side effects like “bookends.” They hold each other up and in high regard. They remember “when.” They forgive the extra pounds, the gray hair, and other physical changes that TIME wreaks on our bodies.

For the past 43 or 44 years, I have wondered whatever happened to a good friend from Junior High School. We grew up in the same (small) town, and went to different high schools. Eventually, we lost track of each other. I went away to the university, and then lived in Spain, California and Arizona. After a time, I returned to my home state of New Hampshire. Dorothy of “The Wizard of Oz” was right, “There is no place like home.”

Just about a week ago, I was looking through the phentermine side effects and found his name there, in a scientific article. I sent him a note, we became Facebook friends, and today, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting with him in his home.

There is something comforting about knowing people who remember your family and other people from the past … a past that seems a lifetime ago because it is. We had a lot of catching up to do.

I hope we will do some more visiting. In seeing him again, I realized the qualities that attracted me to him: his keen and inquiring mind, his love of nature, and the aura of peace that seems to surround him. Anyone would be lucky to be his friend.

We do have something in common now that we did not have when we were twelve or fourteen. We both have life-threatening conditions.

When that is the case, every new day dawning is a blessing. Like me, he is strong of spirit and still engaged in learning! To see him again just felt like the right thing to do. I feel happy tonight and at peace. I feel that I’ve come full circle, and that this meeting with David was orchestrated by a Higher Being. How else could it be explained?

Friends make us more than we are, and lift us up when the World lets us down. The point of understanding is that, given a chance, the World will always let us down.

After driving through the pouring rain, I came home to another “friend” who had baked a cake for us while I was gone. People have various ways of showing love, and baking and cooking are certainly two ways. That same guy made homemade Squash Soup and Cranberry Biscuits for lunch, and did all the dishes!.

In addition, a beautiful greeting card was waiting in today’s mail from another friend. How did I ever get so lucky to have so many friends? I am blessed with friends. May the “Light of the World” shine on them. The love one gives is commensurate to the love one reaps.

Patricia Cummings

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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

In quilt history circles, we hear the same names mentioned, again and again, a rehash of the same facts about the same people, and usually their contributions, as a party of one. I was privileged and pleased to learn of the life and contributions of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster, a 1930s quilt historian from New Hampshire. Before my research, nothing much was known of her life by those who hold her quilt “charts.” The institution had been laboring for ten years under the false information that her name was “Emily.” It was not, and Emily was never even a nickname.

I dedicated many hours, days, weeks and months to not only studying her extant works, but in compiling a list of her life’s contributions within a 355 page/ 340 photo document that is published as an e-book on CD by Quilter’s Muse Publications. This book can be viewed on any computer, or printed out, if you prefer to read printed material.

The CD was exciting to research, as I kept discovering new facts about New Hampshire, most especially history from Hebron, Franklin, and Concord, as well as the societal environment in which Ellen lived in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It was a joy to locate and read all of Ellen Webster’s published findings.

Ellen was important in her own day, especially when she was young and beautiful. After her death in 1950, news of her and her life went into partial obscurity and much of what has been written about her recently, is inaccurate.

When her adopted daughter died, the estate administrators found Ellen Webster’s quilt charts, and not knowing what to do with them, they gave all 162 charts, with more than 200 “saved designs,” to the New Hampshire Historical Society where they languished on a shelf for years.

With no quilt historian on-hand, the charts were described incorrectly, in some instances, and the penciled notations on them were never transcribed in their entirety, or interpreted, until I came along. I could easily make sense of the information as I am a quilt historian, and I understand construction techniques and color combinations, and am also a nationally-certified master craftsman in quilting, so I have the experience of being well-schooled in quilting techniques which leads to a greater understanding.

Moreover, in presenting Mrs. Webster to the general public, I wanted to place her work within a greater framework of the other quilt historians of her time, particularly those she had mentioned on the charts. My husband, Jim, was asked by the NH Historical Society’s Registrar to photograph all of the charts. He did so, and edited the photos, and we presented those images to the Society for their use in their internal catalogue. A colorful article that I wrote was published in that showed 12 of the chart designs and discussed their significance, as well as findings about Mrs. Webster.

There is a lot of satisfaction in doing fine work and responsible research. We left no stone unturned and the result is a CD that is beautiful tribute to the life and work of a very special lady who remains special, even in death. The book is a beautiful read. It is a celebration of all that was Ellen.

Patricia Cummings

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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Ever see an earwig? According to folk stories, these ugly and frightening insects, with their hooked tails, burrow into a person’s brain via the ear canal and lay their eggs. It is the kind of story that could make for a good thriller, don’t you think? We could call the movie, “March of the Earwigs,” something akin to “The Birds” of Alfred Hitchcock.

Why such bizarre thoughts on such a lovely day? Well, I began my day with trying to drown an earwig that was in the bathtub. Down the drain he went, never to return (we hope). However, earwigs love damp condition, so chances are he will just find a mate, down the drain, and an army of them will return.

From my Entymology class at UNH, I do remember that earwigs are “chewing insects.” They mainly eat vegetation, the more decayed the better, as I recall. One less well known fact is that they will chew on clothing and textiles, as will other insects like silverfish. Cockroaches have been known to inhabit the battings of old quilts. At one documentation day, an unsuspecting documenter was beset by lot of the little phentermine side effects. It is always good to periodically check and clean those dark closets where you may be storing quilts. It is always a good idea NOT to store quilts in the attic or basement.

The , is interesting. I recall the professor saying that insects sometimes have exoskeletons, that is, they wear their armor (the equivalent of bones) on the outside. That is why “bugs” like hornets are so difficult to kill.

Of all the beings in the natural world, I do believe that I despise earwigs the most. Even spiders are a step up, in my estimation. Read the wiki on them and you will find out more than you ever knew you wanted to know.

Patricia Cummings

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Monday, July 27th, 2009

Jeff Warner, a seasoned musician, entertained a very interested audience at the Hampstead Public Library in New Hampshire, on July 27, 2009. He is proficient on guitar, banjo, mountain dulcimer, and concertina and credits his parents with encouraging his interest in music, from an early age, due to their own love of folk music. This particular program, titled, “Music in Our Pockets,” is a look at the way people entertained themselves in the nineteenth century (1800s) by voice, instrumental music, and additional instruments like spoons, bones (of cows), and the “Jew’s harp” (that has nothing to do with Jewish people, by the way). Part of his focus was music from Appalachia; and North Carolina, where he grew up.

Jeff Warner

Jeff Warner on July 27, 2009 at Hampstead Public Library (NH)

For more than an hour, Warner discussed and played folk music and revealed the nature of the folklore tradition, saying that two components, “continuity and variation,” are integral to the understanding of folk music. Lyrics change over time. So, instead of being static, or fixed, the music is like a flowing river that can change course at any time (my words, not his). Jeff provides programs for school children, and is well-versed in providing appealing lyrics that children enjoy. Sometimes, he lets kids make up their own lyrics.

We loved his wooden toy in the shape of a human figure that he knew how to make dance.

Jeff Warner with his dancing toy

Jeff Warner with his dancing toy

I also liked his answer to a story told by someone in the audience who stated, in conclusion, that her garnet ring had been stolen and all she has is the memory of it. Without missing a beat, Warner retorted something to this effect: “Isn’t that the most important thing that any of us has … our memories?” That is so true. We cannot keep material goods forever, or even loved ones, but we can hold people and things close, in memory.

One could readily see how much this musician connects with his art and enjoys it. He travels throughout the country, performing and sharing his musical talent and scholarship. We were very lucky to hear this presentation that was sponsored by the . We can always count on that organization to provide quality programs. Many thanks to for a very fun evening of American music. You can find out more about Jeff on his website where he has music CDs available for sale.

Patricia Cummings

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Sunday, July 26th, 2009

This afternoon, I added part II in a series about Color. I plan to add more segments as the spirit moves me to write them. I used to provide instruction about Color Theory so it is not difficult for me to put together files on this topic. Hope you enjoy these offerings. If you are an old pro, you may not need to bother reading them, but there are so many people who are new to quilting but have no art background, I thought that my thoughts about color might just be helpful.

Pat

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Sunday, July 26th, 2009

I am so very curious as to what a certain person means when he refers to other quilters as “Quiltzillas.” A quiltzilla seems like some kind of made-up monster. If he means people who try their best to do good work and not be sloppy quilters, then I fear that my “friend” would think of me as a quiltzilla. At any rate, the word sounds derogatory, and when delivered in a sneering kind of voice, tends to separate “us” from “them.” In my opinion, it is a hate word.

Now, how would we define “us” v. “them,” in that case?

Slurs are used to divide and conquer, and can be used to bond a group of “us” against “them,” just like Hitler did.

If one is trying to do precise work, perhaps it is considered not as “fun” or fancy-free, as throwing something together.

Like public schools, the quality of quilting, quilt design, quilting stitches, etc. is slipping. After all, who cares about excellence any more? “Girls just wanna have fun!”

It is true that many quilters enjoy quilting, not for itself, but as a social vehicle, or one to bring them fame and/or fortune. Truth is, there is a glut of fabric on the market, and a glut of books, many of them poorly-written or outstandingly mediocre. Now, it seems that people who want to be called to a higher standard are being poked fun at, just for the “fun” of belittling someone’s efforts. I find this trend to be oh-so-school-girlish.

I’ve asked three times what “quiltzilla” means, from the person who seems to have generated the term, and three times I have been ignored. So, if the term means adherence to a higher standard than most, call me by that name, any day, and I shall carry the title with pride.

Patricia Cummings

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Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Here is another short story that is related to a re-occurring event with my mother. She loved ice cream. She particularly liked an ice cream store/restaurant called “Blake’s Ice Cream” in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Her favorite flavor was Pistachio. Of course, that ice cream is green and usually has Pistachio Nuts, although some businesses substitute walnuts, perhaps because they are less expensive.

We would sit down to order and the unsuspecting waitress would come along. My mother would announce that she would like a Hot Fudge Sundae. Then, the fun would begin. She would say, “But does your Pistachio ice cream come with real pistachio nuts?” The waitress would reply, “I don’t know! Wait a minute. I’ll go find out.” She would dutifully trot over to the manager and pose the question.

With a big smile on her face, she would return to the table and say, “YES! Real pistachios!” At that, my mother would say, “Oh, I only like walnuts in my pistachio ice cream. I’ll have to order something else!”

She would get her sundae, (with marshmallow – hold the whipped cream, please), and her coffee. After loading many “creamers” into her coffee, she would announce that the coffee was too cold to drink, and would the waitress please bring her a HOT cup of coffee?

My parents in the 1930s

My mother was much more sane when my father was still around. He died in 1974 and she lived another 31 years. Here is a photo of them in the 1930s.

Yes, my mother was impossible in so many little and big ways! A year before she died, I brought her new pajamas in the nursing home. She ONLY wore pajamas. However, that day, she was in one of her moods, and said, “Take those back! (I’d removed all the tags). Patti, Whaaaat were you thiiiiinking? You know I don’t wear pajamas!”

Her death certificate said that she had Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and she died of a heart attack. No matter what the cause of “nutty” behavior, it is sometimes just too tough to take. Hurt and upset by her words, I did not see her for a year after the “incident,” which happened to have occurred on Christmas Eve, when she threw all of my gifts at me and didn’t want anything. She died among her “new” friends, those who saw her everyday and could accept her behavior because she was not their mother.

Funny, the things we remember most are the quirky incidents of life. Day to day stuff, on the other hand, just “is.”

Patricia Cummings

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Saturday, July 25th, 2009

textile from India

Textile marked “made in India – 100% cotton”

Last week, I purchased an antique textile from India. It is heavily appliquéd in mostly colors that are not vibrant, but tend toward gray and beige. Elephants and camels are heavily represented, an indication that this piece is not Islamic made. According to one source, “living beings are not usually represented in Islamic Art.”

More than likely, this is a ralli quilt. The name “ralli” is thought to be derivative of the word, “ralannu,” a verb that means to mix, to join, or to connect. A number of name variations for “ralli” exist, and ralli quilts are made in Rajasthan. As is typical of rallis, patchwork (a sawtooth appliqué design) adorns the edge of the piece I bought, and there is embroidery on the back that the maker has made no attempt to hide or disguise. Some of the fabric is Indigo-dyed.

In the book, phentermine side effects by Patricia Ormsby Stoddard, page 63 shows a woman in Mirpurkhas who has cut out multiple elephant pieces to appliqué onto a ralli made for commerce. Seeing the elephant appliqués has convinced me that I have a ralli quilt. The tag on the back simply says, “100% cotton, made in India.” It was clearly made for the trade.

Ralli quilts are created in both large and small cities, including places in Sindh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. I have on our website.

The International Quilt Study Center will exhibit thirty textiles in a display titled “South Asian Seams: Quilts from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” from May through November 2010. The curator of the exhibit is the aforementioned book author. Workshops will be held in conjunction with this exhibit. Check for more details, as they become available.

I am sure this exhibit will be welcome, as before Stoddard’s book, not a lot has been written on this subject for the general public. For more online information, visit:

Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings

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Saturday, July 25th, 2009

This is a story about my mother. In retrospect, I am highly-amused by what happened, but at the time, if the pavement could have swallowed me up, I’d have been just as happy.

In the next town over, from where I grew up, there was a little food stand, the only one in the immediate area. They sold ice cream, hamburgers, and lobster rolls. Now, keep in mind that my mother LOVED lobster.

My Dad drove us down to this stand, and he and I, not liking lobster, probably ordered a cheeseburger. My mother, ordered a lobster roll. She took a number and waited to be called on the intercom to pick up the food. We took the order back to the car.

My mother squealed, “Where’s the lobster? This is not a lobster roll! It is a ‘lobster ran through it’ roll!” She proceeded to get back in line and made the very same statement to the owner.

A more infuriated man, I have barely ever seen! He took the lobster roll, threw it in the trash, and told her to leave. He screamed, “Get out! Get out! I am taking down your license plate number and if your car, or you, ever return here, I will call the police!”

We left, never to return. Shortly after the incident, the man died and his business closed down forever. I hope that he learned his lesson and is now serving more substantial amounts of lobster, wherever he is. I can’t help but think that his death was Karma at work.

Moral of this story: One can cheat the public, some of the time, but one should not mess with old ladies who complain. The battle may be won, but in the end, the WAR is lost.

Patricia Cummings

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Saturday, July 25th, 2009

In reading the phentermine side effects that is sent to all alumni, I am shocked to learn that someone who was my best friend in junior high school, is very ill. It is with great fondness that I remember David Hersey of Deerfield, New Hampshire. We had a lot in common, mainly horses and guitar-playing. We attended 4-H together, and even played music for a town supper to raise money for 4-H.

Today, David is a victim of ALS disease. Most people would recognize the problem as Lou Gehrig’s disease. You can read this story online, along with the current theory as to how the disease may be contracted, and a possible link to lake and river algae bloom. The article is reprinted from the UNH publication, and can be read at:

National 4-H Congress

David and I, and three others, won a trip to Washington, D.C. to the 4-H Congress. From left to right: Lydia Perry, Gary Nelson, Patricia Grace (me), David Hersey, and Mary Weiss. Year of photo unknown, perhaps 1965?

The school we attended, George B. White School, housed eight grades of students. The seventh and eighth grades were taught in one room by Mr. Anderson, the principal. Deerfield was much more sparsely-populated then, and a tight knit community. I can still remember the names of the other classmates, and I often wonder what happened to many of them.

I chuckle now about how someone squealed on David and I for holding hands during recess (a major crime, you know). However, it was no laughing matter at the time, as parents were notified about this “bad” behavior. Ha, ha! There are some things in life that I would never change.

It is good to know that David is learning Italian and engaging his mind in other intellectual ways. At every stage of life, we can learn and find something to enjoy.

This news has brought good memories to my mind of growing up in a small town where the people were genuine, and everyone was always willing to share produce, or to help the “other guy.” Of course, although I have not seen David in years, I will now keep him in my prayers. I give him credit for facing this new challenge with courage.

Patricia Cummings

Today, the former school is used to house the police station, a pizza place, and a few other businesses.

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Friday, July 24th, 2009

yardage

This is a photo of little more than a yard of Mikado fabric made at the Cocheco Mills in Dover, New Hampshire in the late 19th century. The same type of cotton print cloth was used in the creation of the Crazy Quilt that is in my collection.

I was lucky to be able to find this loose piece of cloth, that goes from selvage to selvage. The cloth has some small holes in it because it had been used as the backing of a tied quilt. This fabric has shown up, rarely, but in a few places across the country. Of course, it commemorates the operetta called, “The Mikado.” I thought you might like to see the piece of cloth that inspired the quilt.

Patricia Cummings

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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

I have written and blogged quite a bit about the phentermine side effects of a terrific early quilt historian in New Hampshire about whom a talk was given by someone else at the International Quilt Study Center, and Boston University, in 2007.

More than one year ago now, I wrote a 355 page biography about the person in question and have copies of family ephemera such as her own letterhead and signature, among many other pieces of evidence that absolutely prove her first name was Ellen. I even have her birth certificate, census reports, copies of her published writings, articles about her, and other official papers, including her obituary. I saw her name for myself, on her gravestone. Her only known “nickname” was “Elly.”

As I said, I have proof beyond any doubt of Ellen Webster’s correct name, and even the presenter realizes that she had used a mistaken name for 10 years.

Tonight, I happened to look at the Univ. of Nebraska file again (the presenter’s abstract). They have now highlighted parts of Ellen Webster’s name, but have not changed or removed phentermine side effects They do not explain the highlighting, leaving anyone to guess.

I guess they enjoy spreading false information. Shame on them! Double shame for being so obstinate about it!

The quilt historian’s name is and was, for all time, phentermine side effects (named after her grandmother’s first name) phentermine side effects (her maiden name) phentermine side effects (her married name). I completed a huge, genealogical study of ALL of Mrs. Webster’s family, going all the way back to England.

For my own edification, I have copied the file for my records. So, go see it for yourself. The file is located on the IQSC site, under Symposiums.

It is beyond my grasp of understanding as to why they cannot admit that a mistaken name was initially provided. Above any other error, the main thing that should have been changed was the faulty name. Yet, they play their silly games.

As another point of interest, I have wondered just how many quilt charts Ellen Webster created in the 1920s. She was busy working on a master’s degree until 1926, and many of her references are to Ruth Finley’s book which was not published until 1929.

Let me add this: The re-creation of an 1860s quilting bee did not “phentermine side effects” Mrs. Webster to begin her study of quilts or start her interest in teaching with quilts.

According to actual minutes of the faculty meeting at Wheaton College:

…phentermine side effects (New England Wheaton Club, Minutes, 1914-1932, vol. 7, p. 297).

You see, phentermine side effects. I don’t just blather off about something of which I have no knowledge.

I pray for relief from the terrible stubborn streak of phentermine side effects academics who feel the need to “shelter” others from their own mistakes!

Patricia L. Cummings who says, “Let the record speak for itself.”

I further say, a true scholar welcomes correction to their faulty notions.

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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Hmong baby hat

Hmong-made baby hat from Thailand

One of the most charming ideas I have learned, during my study of Hmong people, is that they hold a traditional belief that all babies live in the clouds before descending to earth. In the world of the Hmong, there are myths that are retold from generation to generation, as is the same in our own American culture. The Hmong also very much believe in the Spirit World. Babies are prized possessions.

I don’t plan to get into a total discussion of that here. Suffice it to say that the colorful and well-decorated hats made for Hmong babies are intended to trick the phentermine side effects or evil spirits from snatching the baby’s spirit away. The hats disguise the youngsters and make them appear like little flowers from above or from a distance.

I feel very lucky to have procured this antique example of such a hat. My studies of the Hmong people have not ended with the three major articles I wrote (one of which is present on our website). I still have additional books to read.

One of the most interesting books I have read is centered around an epileptic child and her treatment in California, and how that treatment did not coincide with traditional Hmong approaches or thought. The book portrays a total culture clash and lack of understanding by the medical community, and their insensitivity, and the medical staffs’ notion that the family was being non-compliant with their prescribed treatments.

Monica Chiu, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English at the University of New Hampshire, and editor of phentermine side effects, wrote a lengthy analytical, scholarly paper in the about the Fadiman book that is well worth your time to read.

Having already read Anne Fadiman’s book, described above, called, phentermine side effects, I found Dr. Chiu’s paper to be most enjoyable and found myself agreeing with her, on every point.

Patricia Cummings

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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Chris Thiessen of Bolivar, Missouri writes:

phentermine side effects

doll owned by Chris Thiessen

Special doll, owned by Chris Thiessen

Chris added this family story:

phentermine side effects

~~~

Thanks so much for writing to us, Chris. We love to hear from readers. Your doll is precious!

Patricia and James Cummings
See our new file about a doll named “Miranda,” that inspired this e-mail response. A link is located on the front page of our site.

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