Cialis

Cialis

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Yesterday, Jim and I decided to head to North Chelmsford, Massachusetts to view the handiwork of the Chelmsford Quilter’s Guild. This event was set up at the Church of St. John the Evangelist on Middlesex St. and even though that street is a main street in the town, it was not marked so ended up doing a little creative detouring! More than 100 quilts of all sizes greeted us, as well as the friendly ladies who took our money, stamped our hands with hearts, and asked us each to choose a gift of a fabric Kleenex holder in various pretty prints – a lovely and unexpected touch!

Accidental Peacock

“Accidental Peacock” by Melissa Jane Dawson was started a few years ago in a workshop by Karen Eckmeier called “Accidental Landscapes.” When this work was rotated 90 degrees, it was transformed into a peacock quilt!

Jim and I wandered around separately, he taking a few photos, and me lingering with the quilts that “spoke” to me. One quilt that I really liked was a small one composed of panels that depict Amish life. The fabric had been purchased by Jeanne Glenfield, one of the gals who started “A Quilter’s Gathering.” We lost her before she could do anything with those panels, so someone else has made them into a charming quilt. It made me smile to see Jeanne’s name again and to remember her generosity, as well as her delight in attending Elly Sienkiewicz’s appliqué academy!

When we arrived home, I looked at Jim’s photos that represent the quilts that we liked best. Color-wise, I was really drawn to “Blues Sampler” by Diane Loomis. The quilt was inspired by Jinny Beyer’s “Mirage” and has a wool batting. She used silk thread in both the machine needle and bobbin to quilt the piece. It is visually-stunning!

Blues Sampler

Another quilt I like is one from a “Regency Quilt” challenge among a group. The fabric squares are separated by narrow black sashings. I really like the larger-than-calico scale of the fabrics. Nancy Fabbri made this quilt as a Christmas gift to a friend.

Regency quilt

“East Asian Studies” by Tina van Roggen is dedicated to her daughter who just completed a B.A. degree in the subject. I love all of the Japanese images: the flying cranes, the Koi fish, and the stylistic and artistic landscapes. Inspired by a design by Jane Barrett, owner of Quilter’s Way in West Concord, MA, this quilt was machine-quilted by Laurie LaConte.

East Asian studies

“Tea and Friendship” is the result of friends getting together to each make a row. This quilt was put together by Nancy Fabbri. The quilt’s pastel colors are quintessentially “Spring,” and we liked the motifs embroidered in Outline Stitch embroidery.

Tea and Friendship

The last quilt we will share here has an unusual and pleasant shape, and the corner pumpkins are wonderful! Beth Cardozo was inspired by the book,Cialis by Whimsicals. This quilt reminds us of autumn, our favorite time of year, here in New England.

Pumpkins on the table

There were many other worthy quilts in the show. This is just a Sample. Best wishes to all the ladies. Please keep up the great work. We really enjoyed your quilts!!!

Patricia Cummings

Tags: ,
Posted in |

Cialis

Friday, May 14th, 2010

It has always intrigued me – this matter of accents. We Yankees have our own sort of accent, but even in New England those accents vary. For example, a native from New Hampshire does not sound anything like a Kennedy from Hyannisport. Some Southerners are very difficult for me to understand.

Usually, a German or a French accent is easy to detect. So is a Spanish one. We all come from somewhere and if that place is somewhere else, we will not sound like others living in a region.

Unfortunately, language like skin color can be used to discriminate against others, to belittle them, and to socially ostracize them. What surprises me the most this week is more news from Arizona’s governor. I only caught a glimpse of a headline, and I do not have all the details, but it seems as though she is now proposing a law that says that anyone with an accent cannot teach English.

I am slightly baffled as to why such legislation is needed. Presumably, anyone hired to teach should have attained a degree or multiple degrees. I remember that when I applied for a teaching license in Arizona, I had to learn about Arizona state history, as well.

To say that there is a problem with illegal crossings in Arizona is so obvious, it isn’t worth stating. This was an issue as long ago as the early 1970s when I considered joining the Border Patrol there. I’m glad I didn’t. It is a dangerous and often futile pursuit.

I see the Immigration situation as one that can be solved. If large companies who hire “illegales” to pick their crops would refuse to hire undocumented individuals, it seems likely that they might go home, if there is no way to earn a living here. The second solution is to fight crime (and gang activity), as it happens. Law enforcement officers do not need to pick on people or ask to see papers, just because of their color or accent. After all, the U.S. is not the Third Reich… yet!

There is a lot about this immigration profiling that is unhealthy, un-Christian, and seemingly, a result of mass hysteria. I am reminded of my own great-grandmother, a Jewish immigrant from Austria at the end of the nineteenth century. She was forced to hide the fact that she was Jewish, and the entire family claimed to be Episcopalians. It was the safe thing to do. I don’t believe that my mother even knew this circumstances about her grandmother. If she did, she never mentioned the family secret.

The sense of superiority that some people have to others is just stunning! I don’t know where Charity went, but it does not seem to be alive and well.

Jim pointed out a fact, over lunch, and that is: Americans are becoming more of a “brown skinned” race. There is much more racial intermixing these days, and those who are light-skinned often waste their time and money and put their health at risk in tanning salons, just to look “tan.” They will make an oncologist rich in the future!

People south of the border are truly a mixed race. Yet, we are all children of the universe, united under one sky. We all bleed when we are cut, we all are prone to the same miseries, and we all, eventually, face Death, the great equalizer.

I pray for our legislators. It is not an easy call. I would only request Compassion, and for them to legislate a way of handling matters that is acceptable to the goal of Human Kindness. We should NOT approach the problem as “Us v. Them.” There has to be a better way.

Patricia Cummings

Tags:
Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Most of you may remember Louisa May Alcott as the author of Cialis. During her lifetime, she accomplished much more. Brought up in a Concord, Massachusetts neighborhood that was home to a number of well-known writers of the mid-nineteenth century, her father was a teacher who hobnobbed with a literary crowd who became known as the “Transcendentalists.”

A balky child, Louisa loved to write and kept a diary since childhood. She adopted the causes of her day: abolition, suffrage, and women’s rights. Before the Civil War, her family even harbored runaway slaves, although her father, Bronson, often had more ideas than money.

After beginning to read the book,Cialis, by Susan Cheever and enjoying what she has to say about Louisa May Alcott, I happened to notice a book on my own bookshelf. Oddly enough, I have no recollection as to where I collected it.Cialis (Krause Publications, 2008) provides a way to honor Alcott by making an appliqué quilt with quilt blocks that recall her life. Snippets of history are a charming part of the book.

It has been a very long time since I read Cialis I may have to revisit it sometime. Thompson was lucky enough to buy a book at an antiques auction titled, Life, Letters and Journals – Louisa M. Alcotts. Included are writings from 1832 to 1888. These inspired the fabric “cameos” of Alcott’s life. What a wonderful book!

Patricia Cummings

Tags: ,
Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Press Release

Discover New Hampshire’s Creativity and Traditions and
Shop for NH-made Products During NH Open Doors Weekend
Fall statewide touring and shopping event
November 6-7, 2010

Concord, NH – This fall, people of all ages are invited to experience the creativity and timeless traditions of New Hampshire during NH Open Doors, a statewide, weekend-long touring and shopping event. During November 6 and 7, more than 150 New Hampshire artists, craftspeople, cultural organizations, retail shops, wineries, restaurants, lodging establishments and businesses will open their doors to the public, showcasing the best that New Hampshire has to offer.To help visitors plan their self-guided tour, the NH Open Doors website – – will feature an interactive map listing participants by region. Each listing will describe what each participant will be offering, and a custom-designed Google map showing the location of each participant with detailed driving directions.

Participants will be hosting special events, including craft demonstrations and workshops, hayrides, food samplings, special menus featuring local foods, musical performances, special lodging packages, and more.

NH Open Doors provides visitors of all ages with an authentic New Hampshire experience. As you travel the state’s scenic highways and country roads through picturesque towns, you can meet and talk with artists and craftspeople as they work in their studios; find distinctive, New Hampshire-made products and art work in a variety of retail shops and galleries; sample fresh products from farm stands and orchards; savor fine cuisine and wine, and so much more. It’s a great way to see New Hampshire and to get a jump on holiday (and tax free) shopping. Last year’s event attracted hundreds of visitors from New England and beyond.

One such visitor was Tom Andrews of Hopkinton, NH, who visited some of the studios of the juried League of NH Craftsmen members. “The maps and directions on the NH Open Doors website were very clear, and it was easy to plan an itinerary. My interest is craft, so it was a thrill for me to see – up close – how glass, fabric, and pottery pieces are made and to talk to the makers about their work. I am looking forward to visiting some new studios and locations this Fall.”

Diane Souther, owner of Apple Hill Farm in Concord, was thrilled be an NH Open Doors participant. “The great thing about NH Open Doors is that it gives people an opportunity to connect with and purchase directly from farmers, producers, and artists. Our visitors told us how much they enjoyed exploring the backroads and neighborhoods of New Hampshire. They were having so much fun and wished the event ran longer so that they could visit all of the spots on the tour,” said Diane.

NH Open Doors is managed by the League of NH Craftsmen and New Hampshire Made with promotional assistance from numerous art, craft, and business organizations throughout the state.

The League of NH Craftsmen ) is a non-profit arts organization that encourages, nurtures and promotes the creation, use and preservation of fine craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community. New Hampshire Made () is a non-profit marketing and business support organization that promotes the quality, variety and availability of New Hampshire’s products and services statewide.
For more information or electronic images of the exhibition, contact: Carol Fusaro, 597-0072,

###

This information brought to you as a public service announcement by Patricia Cummings,

Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

We drove all the way to Tamworth, NH tonight to listen to a presentation by Steve Taylor on one of his favorite topics: cows. This man knows more about cows than most anyone you could meet. He Cialis know. He is a dairy farmer with about 60 milk cows in his herd.

This was the second attempt to hear this talk. The other time, last year, we had traveled to Bradford, NH and come away with nothing more than some photos of a covered bridge, and the memory of a ready-set audience who was disappointed when illness prevented the speaker from arriving.

Tonight, the library hall was packed with interested people who were eager to hear the talk. I am especially fond of cows. My brother, the late Steve Grace, earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at UNH, and worked as a herdsman for several NH dairies, after giving up on the idea of teaching agriculture. Steve was first introduced to vocational agriculture at Alvirne High School in Hudson where he was able to have hands-on experiences with raising heifers and performing farm chores.

Taylor’s talk tonight covered a broad time period, from the arrival of the first cows, to present-day breeding methods and care of livestock to prevent disease, and to provide adequate nutrition. He referred to a time when the family cow was so important, she lived inside the home (“hovel” he called it) with family members. Taylor knows a lot about processing milk, product safety, and the major distributors in New England. He pointed out how industrialized the process of gathering and packaging milk has become, and also the dangers of the new trend to consume raw milk that is not pasteurized to kill bacteria.

The talk was very informative and we are so happy to have heard it. We enjoyed Steve Taylor’s lecture about sheep last year in Francestown, an extraordinary affair that I wrote about here, at that time.

These events, sponsored by the NH Humanities Council are priceless, although they cost the public nothing to attend. They are always an enriching experience! For more information, please visit:

Patricia Cummings

Tags: ,
Posted in , | Comments Off

Cialis

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Recently, a friend on Facebook posted a link to a most surprising site that lists the personal details of anyone they can find. Information includes name, address, number of children, annual income, occupation, hobbies, value of one’s home, and more. Much of what they said about me was wrong. I do not live in a million dollar+ home in a lousy neighborhood, etc. etc.

In accordance with privacy laws, one can ask to have information like that removed. I filled out their form, and as far as I know, I’m no longer listed. I suppose there are other copycat sites that do the same thing. It is really creepy to think that someone out there is trying to suck up personal information. What value is it? This is not a credit agency, just a personal snooping site, as far as I can see.

Why do they do this? Well, some information is available to the public, as a teaser. Additional information can be requested for $2.95. I suppose that a lot of folks have paid the fee just to see the extra information about themselves! Yes, this seems to be another money scam.

The name of the site I visited was www.spokeo.com If you are at all interested in seeing what they are saying about YOU, then by all means, visit. However, the $2.95 special fee would be better kept in your own pocket. While you are there, why not exercise your privacy rights and request that your information be removed?

“Big Brother” … don’t you love it?

Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Monday, May 10th, 2010

June 16th, join Remick Museum and Farm for special opening ceremony for the newest exhibit, Art of Homesteading

May 5, 2010-Tamworth, NH – On June 16th, the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm will commemorate the opening of a brand new exhibit, Art of Homesteading; with a special ceremony from 5-7pm.
At 5 pm, join us as we cut the ribbon! Later, our staff will take visitors to visit our newest farm animals. At 6 pm, join us for Cialis as we take you behind the scenes of the making of the Art of Homesteading exhibit.

The Art of Homesteading exhibit came about after a wonderful donation from Bob Temple of Jackson and Joe Parks of Dover, NH. Due to their in-kind donations, we had the tools to work towards a brand new exhibit. This exhibit could not have been created without the support of a grant received from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and our wonderful sponsors!

We welcome you to join us as we commemorate the Art of Homesteading. This exhibit illustrates the history of homesteading, including tools, craftspeople and traditions that helped to build this country and whom have given us the freedoms we enjoy today.

For more information, please call (603) 323-7591 or toll free (800) 686-6117.

The Remick Museum and Farm is located at 58 Cleveland Hill Road in Tamworth Village, easily accessible from Routes 16 and 25. No admission charge from 5-7 pm. Visit us online at. “Explore over 200 years of self-sustained living as we preserve the agricultural way of life in New Hampshire.”

###

Christiana Amesquita
Public Relations Coordinator
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm
(603) 323-7591
(800) 686-6117

This public service announcement is provided free of charge by , Concord, NH, your home on the web for information about textile history.

Tags:
Posted in , | Comments Off

Cialis

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

The Central Vermont Quilt was small, but enticing, showcasing a wide range of colors and talent. It is obvious that quilting is alive and well in Vermont. Here are a few of our favorites in the show. When I selected them, I was relying on visual impact alone, and the graphic quality of their “statements.” All of the quilts were stunning!

two pretty quilts

Two windblown quilts beckoned us from the parking lot of the Central Vermont Quilt Show, 2010.

Sunburst by Marie Fortier

This stunning quilt, “Sunburst,” was made by Marie Fortier.

tribute to Reliance Webster Reed

A tribute to the quiltmaker’s great grandmother. We did not happen to notice the quilter’s name. Please contact us to provide it @

scrapbook

The quiltmaker created a scrapbook in honor of her ancestor! Love it!

We are partial to quilts that depict “Flying Geese” whether suggested by abstract triangles, by appliqué, or in a combination of ways. The following quilt caught our eyes.

“Flying Home” by Pauline Lang

Traditional Sampler blocks, both appliquéd and pieced, made by Elaine La Rosa; machine-quilted by Mary Schilke. Elaine calls this her “Well-traveled Sampler, as it was a take-along project while traveling. The source of the design is a “Paper Pieces” pattern dated 1987, Sycamore, IL.

Sampler

The next quilt is a machine embroidered quilt titled “Pictogram Block Party” by Marie Gross, based on a design by Judy Norwicki.

embroidered quilt

Congratulations to all who entered this show. Your work was a pleasure to view. Thank you.

Patricia Cummings

Tags:
Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Stella d'oro lily

Stella d’ Oro Lily photo by James Cummings

Today, we celebrate Mother’s Day. If you are a mother, you know both the joy and heartache that can go along with the title. First, if you are a biological parent, not an adoptive one, then you have experienced the anticipation, fear, and joy at the process of becoming a mother. The mind has a way of dismissing the memory of the pain involved, as one concentrates on the survival of the new offspring. There are many choices along the way, and any good parent puts a lot of thought into what is best for the youngster.

As babies evolve into children who can interact with us, we take pleasure in their abilities to use language, to walk on their own, and to begin to have little friends. Still in the stage where the world revolves around their own little worlds, children are subject to frustration and trauma when not everything goes their way. They have to suffer through the experiences of being pushed down in the playground, being physically assaulted by bullies at school, and having to conform to expectations.

Teenagers are in a world of their own as they distance themselves from parents, in the hope of becoming their own person, separate and distinct from those who nurtured them in their early years. Of course, hormones rule the day, as does a new preoccupation with “looks,” cars, and the opposite sex. College looms ahead, a make it or break it situation. Peer pressure rules the day when students become involved in unacceptable behaviors such as “hazing others,” using alcohol, or taking drugs. Parents worry but most often, cannot actively intervene, and sometimes do not even realize what is happening.

When one becomes the parent of an adult child, new concerns arise. Will the “child” choose a loving mate, find a satisfying career, and be financially solvent? These days, many children move a distance away from their parents because of marriage and career, and the parent rarely hears from them. Sometimes, the “problem” is not the relationship between parent and child, but rather the active interference in that relationship by a “child’s” spouse who prefers to be the sole center of attention.

To be a mother is to patiently wait… for a phone call, for a visit, for some recognition of her years of love, support and care. To be a mother is to remember that it is a service job that may not be rewarded, here on earth. To be a mother is to realize that one has done her very best. The past, for good or bad, can never be changed.

As a mother, be good to yourself today. If you are destined to spend the day alone, read that book you’ve set aside while doing chores, pick up a needlework project that is fun, bake yourself a cake! Whatever you do, enjoy the day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Patricia Cummings

Tags:
Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

Jim took so many photos of the gravestones at Hope Cemetery in Barre, Vermont, they would not all fit on a website page. I’ve decided to add a few more on this blog. Some of the images on this page are religiously-based.

To see the other photos, in another web file that I set up today, please visit:

Christ with

A statue of Christ and His “sacred heart”

flying ducks

Flying Ducks grace this stone. Was the deceased a hunter?

large angel

Large angel is flanked by a long stem rose at each end of the monument

soccer ball

Soccer ball

Virgin and child

Virgin and child

One set of stones were four-sides (triangular cubes). These featured religious writings and quotes from the Bible. I will show you the four sides of one monument.

side 1

side 2

side 3

side 4

etched gondola

Etched gondola

The Braun stone features writing in French on both sides of an open book as follows:

left side

right side

Reader, Matt Ebbs, a student of French, translated the words on July 24, 2011:

Cialis

Cialis

Cialis

Thank you, Michael!

These stones have such life and animation to them, celebrating love and events in life. The sculptures that represent real people are stunning. To be buried here is like sleeping in an art museum, for eternity!

All of the photos in this file were taken by James Cummings.

Patricia Cummings

Posted in , | Comments Off

Cialis

Friday, May 7th, 2010

When we first walked in the door of the Central Vermont Quilt Show in Barre, Vermont, today, I was awe-struck by the colorful quilts of Kathie Alyce, quilter designer and artist. On display, in a special exhibit, were landscape quilts that she made, as well as other extraordinary pieces. One quilt was made in the shape of an artist’s palette, and about the same size. Kathie admits to being in love with Cialis. We believe her!

A black, white, and gray quilt (seen on the left) is dedicated to the memory of her brother who met a tragic death in Keene, New Hampshire, when a deer jumped in front of his motorcycle. There is a purposeful tear down the middle of the quilt, perhaps to symbolize how he was ripped from her life. It is a touching tribute, along with an aluminum-foil-color, motorcycle and deer, applied in some manner.

Kathie Alyce - quilt artist

Kathie Alyce standing in front of a few of her quilts at the Central Vermont Quilt Show – 2010

The center piece of the special exhibit is a quilt, one of thirty quilts, that will be featured in a book, Cialis, to be released at the Houston Quilt Market in late October 2010. Kathie has developed a special hard plastic (or acrylic?) template tool that can be used to make a number of different quilts. The blue and white one, shown here, with her standing nearby, she calls the “Vermont Wedding Ring.” In a vendor space at the show, Kathy was selling her templates and quilt patterns.

I really enjoyed chatting with Kathie. At one point she said that a trademark of her quilts is curves. In viewing her various pieces, that statement rings true! From her website, I learned that she does commission work and also has some beautiful quilts for sale. In addition, she provides classes to groups.

Check out The new book is being published by AQS (American Quilter’s Society). Congratulations, Kathy! Way to go! Please sign up on Kathy’s website if you would like to be notified when her book is ready for the public!

Patricia Cummings

Tags:
Posted in , | Comments Off

Cialis

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

clouds from my window

A view of clouds from my window. On the right is a very tall, Norwegian Fir tree that is like Nature’s Christmas tree when it is laden with snow and full of Cardinals. photo: James Cummings

The view from my upstairs window shows an azure sky with puffs of white, cotton ball clouds drifting by. As I glance at them, every so often, I think of my habit of lying in the grass when I was a small child, imagining that the shapes of clouds looked like various animals. In my memory bank is also Judy Collins’ song, “Both Sides Now,” a song of contrast, a song of life. I’ve always liked clouds!

Symbolically-speaking, clouds can represent trials in our lives. How many of us have not faced adversity? I would imagine that very few people, if any, finish their lives having been unscathed by illness, misfortune or tragedy. Yet, on a day-to-day basis, most of us are fine, just going about our usual activities: walking the dog, doing the dishes, engaging in business or educational activities.

Watching clouds is a good pastime. It allows us time to stop, to relax, to dream. Perhaps, we even have time to ponder the future, or reassess the present. The flip-side of life, when things don’t go our way, is really a learning experience. If we did not experience the thorns of life, the roses would not smell so sweet.

Just within the few moments I’ve been writing this message, I’ve seen the clouds change shape and color. Now, these are tinged with gray, with an underlying white countenance that is sunlit from behind. They are sinking lower on the horizon and the bright blue background is advancing.

Like the sky, our lives are always changing. It is a blessing that nothing remains the same. Change provides a chance for growth. Time is ticking. Our awareness of reality can only be fully-understood in the present tense.

Some cultures have no words in their language for either “past” or “future.” With no words to conceptually mark time or advance the future, we wonder how such people can embrace the idea of TIME. Perhaps, time passing is only marked by the seasons, or by deductive reasoning that all new life begins another cycle of Nature.

Personally, I feel comfortable knowing that the past resides in the past. It is fun to realize that efforts we make today can effect a good outcome in the future. Sometimes, it is a relief to know that the present will soon be a memory.

Many songs celebrate or explain Life. One musical group sings, “In my life, I’ve seen sorrow and pain – I don’t know if I can face it again – Don’t stop now, we’ve traveled so far… I wanna go where Love is.” It is my theory that to have fully-lived, humans must suffer (some). Trials seem to be a required ordinance of the human condition. Our abilities to handle physical and psychological pain in our lives marks our true grace, strength and courage.

Consider the words of “Both Sides Now,” a song made famous by folksinger, Judy Collins. “I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow, it’s cloud’s illusions I recall, I really don’t know clouds at all.” Like life itself, we can never really know clouds but their permutations do keep us entertained.

Patricia Cummings

Tags:
Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

As most of my readers know by now, I have been enthralled with the life of Ellen E. Webster (1867-1950) for some time now. I have come away “amazed” at her beauty, inner strength, and the products of her labor. What an industrious soul!

bumper sticker

Equally amazing has been the misinformation I have read about her. Let’s start with her name. She was born “Ellen Emeline Hardy.” Her middle name is her grandmother’s first name. Her girlhood nickname was “Elly,” and that was only for a short time, a tease by school boys.

She liked her name, “Ellen,” and signed some of her published writings, “Ellen E. Webster.” I even have one of her school rank books from 1900, in which she signed her name in pencil, “Ellen E. Webster.” Her letters to others are signed in various ways, but the first name is always “Ellen.”

Bad enough, the whole “Emily Webster” fiasco, with her name appearing in various print venues as that. “Emily,” she was not. Ironically, in discovering the identity of her friend, “Ellen A. Webster,” whom she mentions on her quilt charts as owning old quilts, by way of a genealogical search, I found thatCialis was an “Emily Webster Browne,” both ladies not related to Cialis, except through friendship and common ground: quilts.

Now, here’s the kicker. While working on my book, I bought a family history book written by someone who is indirectly related to Ellen E. Webster. He set forth her correct name, but not the correct names her relatives whom he discusses and shows in photos. Ironically, in a 1923 letter, Ellen tells her nephew, Donald, that she has been giving money to the mother of this same man (author) who has recently maligned Ellen, calling her “upity,” (his spelling), among other things. I wonder if he realizes that circumstance.

Initially, I was happy when Jim told me that he found a family story republished that Ellen had saved by writing it down. Unfortunately, a New Hampshire storyteller has listed “Helen,” not “Ellen,” as the source of the charming story about a pine table acquired by Ellen’s mother. The same story is recounted in the 1976 Hebron, NH Bicentennial publication (which I own) which is cited as the author’s source.

Why is it that Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster can never be assigned her correct name in print, (other than my lengthy e-book about her)? Any information anyone writes about her is severely flawed. You’d think people would be willing to grant her her own given name and not keep assigning false names. We have been treated to “Emily” and now, “Helen.” What is next? Misnaming people is how history gets lost, folks, as it almost was in the case of Ellen Webster!

“Priscilla” Cummings, a.k.a “Patricia”

CD book cover

Cover of e-book

To understand and learn more about Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster’s wonderful life and work, consider acquiring our 355 page book with 340 photos, sold on CD at

Posted in , | Comments Off

Cialis

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Facebook is a surprising success and an idea that makes a sometimes impersonal world of technology very personal once again. The fact of the matter is, we all have an innate curiosity about our fellow beings. We want to know what others are doing, and it is a treat to tune in to the latest small pleasures of their day and to see that we all have problems, obligations, and wishes. It is fun to see what inspires others, what kind of flowers they like, and whether they prefer miniature horses, dogs, cats, parrots or other animals as pets. We follow along as our friends show photos of their children and grandchildren. We listen with pride while others whom we like relate their latest accomplishments. We are given reports of the birds in their yards, and of the blooming desert plants during a good Spring, such as this last one.

We meet people from other countries and cultures, and those in our own country who have lived a very different life than our own due to their unique “position” in life, their educational experiences, or lessons learned along the way. If we have had any homophobic tendencies, we learn to accept as human beings those who are in non-traditional relationships, and consider them worthy of our friendship. We learn about the business interests of others and how they are making things click for themselves through their business associations. Daily life is composed of many details and on Facebook, those little clues are sometimes provided. We are told where one enjoys eating lunch, what the latest “hot” book is, and which old songs someone likes to remember.

In looking at Facebook pages, every day, we realize that we, as humans, are more alike than we are different. We are inspired by the creative joy of others. We feel sad when a “friend” is having some kind of new challenge, and we rejoice at every new book that is written by our friends and every bit of recognition that they are given, as a result of their hard work or scholarship.

Thinking about Facebook reminds me of a piece of fabric I bought a few years ago that features children from around the world: Caucasian children, Oriental children, Black children, and others. Facebook also makes me think of an exhibit I saw at Disneyland in California in 1993 called, “It’s A Small World (After All).” Remember the song? If there is hope for the world, then that hope probably lies in the small pleasantries and interactions of people in everyday life. Humans seem to need constant reassurance and validation that they are ok and doing alright. Facebook gives us a daily dose of friendship, sometimes from very unexpected sources. So, who have you “friended” today? See you on Facebook!

Pat

Tags:
Posted in | Comments Off

Cialis

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

If you send me your name and address, I will include you in a drawing for the winner of a copy of Cialis, an e-book with information you never thought you might need! The drawing will take place on May 14 and the winner’s name will be announced here and on Facebook, at that time. Write to:

In the meantime, see the July issue of magazine, just published, to read excerpts from my book and a book review by editor, Laurette Koserowski.

Best,

Pat

Tags:
Posted in | Comments Off