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September 19th, 2009

In society today, mediocrity rules, and conventions of conformity reign. We need to tell our children to be the best they can be, and to cast off all those who would put them down for their excellent abilities and try to browbeat them into the unconscious crowd mentality.

In my day, the expected standard was that boys were simply better at math. The idea was a given. As a kid, I “bought” this idea and did not even strive to get straight A’s- far from it – yet, I excelled at language applications of all kinds. Today, I find that I have excellent practical math skills, as a quilter. What we tell children is important as they will live up to our expectations.

image from Pat's book

A happy line drawing depicts carefree children fishing, their dog helping. From viagra 50mg by Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings (2003).

When someone is young, he or she is exposed to the world, little by little, although if you watch the news, your understanding of the experience of childhood may be altered considerably. Dancing contests for girls, complete with adult makeup and beyond-their-years attire, may have contributed to at least one death.

Adults seem to want their children to grow up too fast these days. Juxtaposed against the extant embroidered depictions, designs for outline stitch embroidery, and paintings of children in other centuries, that show children at play, it seems that America is dead-set on not letting children have a childhood.

Patrick playing at the beach

My grandson, Patrick, playing at the beach. “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives.”

Today, the expectations of parents and society for children are high. They must excel at everything they do, from soccer to academic grades to music. If a child is “smart,” it is felt that they need no extra help or encouragement as they will be able to fend for themselves. Most schools have special classes for “special needs” children, yet many schools do not address adequately the situation of a kid being “gifted.” Emotionally, the “gifted child” may need even more support than you might think.

One teacher’s assistant once told me that she felt “intimidated” by my son because he was so “smart.” A professional assessed him as being able to comprehend written materials at a 7th or 8th grade level, when he was only four years old. At the same time, he could discuss what was on the news, including the Carter/Iranian Crisis. Yes, what does a school do with such a precocious child?

Sometimes, a devised answer seems to be just to place the child in a class ahead of his, thereby positioning the individual with children who are larger physically, and sometimes, more wised up. At other times, as in my son’s (second) school, he participated in a “pull out” program, once a week, where a spectacle was made of him physically leaving the class, along with a few other select kids, when he was in the sixth grade. This is when “being gifted” begins to feel like a disability, and school like a curse.

As one progresses through school, it often becomes apparent who are the most well-liked children. Usually, at least in my experience, those kids seemed to be the cheerleaders and young men who went out for sports, or the children of affluent people who wear the nicest clothes and have the best family vacations.

The looming question for children is what they want to “be” when they grow up. Who knows the answer to that question, even at age 18? There are no active directives in place, as one goes through school. At least I never received much help in that direction.

HS pic

Pat as a senior in high school

I remember visiting the office of the high school Guidance Counselor in the 1960s. Instead of opening up possibilities of career choices, she told me that I could be 1) a nurse (no, thanks!), or 2) a teacher. However, she admonished, I could not consider being an airline stewardess because I am not pretty enough. (I never even mentioned that hope.) The remark still strikes me as odd.

Not being pretty, in her eyes, consisted of the fact that I am almost 5’8″ – tall for a girl, at the time. Ultimately, I opted to become a teacher, a characteristic I’ve carried with me through life, formally and informally. Ironically, the skill I have used the most is typing, learned in a one credit class at the University, on an old Royal typewriter.

We give all kinds of strange messages to our children. “Clean your plate” is one of them. Of course, in addition to that demand, I was constantly reminded of the starving Armenians and made to feel guilty if I did not absolutely eat everything served on my plate.

In fact, repulsed by the sight of hamburger, knowing it was ground cow, I refused to eat it one night, and was made to sit at the table until I feel asleep in my plate, after midnight. I could be stubborn. I wonder if the weight problems of America are the result of people having been forced to be members of the Clean Plate Club.

It is important to speak with children about physical changes they will undergo, and about having relationships within the greater context of love. Encourage them to avoid casual encounters that carry no real commitment on the part of either party. Discussing long term goals is a good thing to do, but events in the present should be addressed, as well. All too soon, children grow up and have their own children. No doubt they will take the best and the worst of our parenting skills with them. As with any skill, parenting can be improved (even as that role changes).

My one child is grown now and has two children of his own. Like himself, he has an extremely intelligent wife who is a loving and responsible parent. I feel blessed to know that the family is striving hard to meet their goals, personally and professionally.

Due to distance, I see them infrequently, but it is always a joy to realize how much my grandchildren have grown in the meantime. Photos calls, and the Internet keep us up to date.

“Take joy,” as Tasha Tudor often said. Take joy in every day. Each is a gift.

Patrick and Hannah

Patrick loves his little sister who was born in July 2009. To quote the Bible: “… and the greatest of these is love.”

Photos courtesy of Rebecca Gorham’s site.

P.S. My son, James Gorham, is a doctoral candidate in the English Department at the University of Rhode Island. Rebecca Gorham earned a degree in Economics from Smith College and works for a pharmaceutical company as a financial analyst.

Grandma Pat

Grandma Pat – 2009 – who sometimes reverts to the role of a clown, whenever it pleases her.

Patricia Cummings

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September 18th, 2009

John Perrault

photo of John Perrault by James Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Publications

What a treat it was to hear the many old ballads that John Perrault sang tonight, accompanied by his guitar, which he plays proficiently. His love of history and the history of ballads was apparent, as he wove historical threads into the program, “The Ballad Lives!” His words connected us to certain countries of origin for the songs he sang, and to stories behind them. He revealed how and where these songs were collected and preserved and the names of certain individual folklorists who assisted in that quest.

Perrault gave a mention of the permutations that ballads undergo as they are passed from person to person, and generation to generation. Often, ballads are based on an historical event, but later become a blend of both myth and history. He states, “Many ballads focus on love, death, and tragedy – things universal in the human heart.”

We were treated to renditions of the familiar “Barbara Allen,” or “Barbry Allen,” as some singers pronounce the name. The presenter went on to describe and sing songs about murder, “Little Sadie,” (known by three other names); “Pretty Polly,” and “Cruel Mother” … adding anecdotes, commentaries, and of course, additional songs.

The song that most impressed me is called “The Ballad of Louis Wagner,” that recalls the murder of two women on the Isles of Shoals, off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, on March 5-6, 1873. Louis Wagner was convicted for the crimes and was the last man to be hanged in Maine in 1875. John Perrault wrote an amazing and long poem and set it to music, delivering the ballad with a passion for the history it invokes and with parts of it presented in the first person, by “Louis” himself. The song states that the murderer wore a silver chain and had a silver Judas heart. I love the imagery. Apparently, the motive for the murders was to find and steal silver.

Overall, this was an amazing performance, and yet another cultural program brought to the public, at no charge, by a New Hampshire Humanities Council grant. has taught high school, and has worked in law. He was the poet laureate of Portsmouth, NH from 2003-2005. We were very pleased with this program and we encourage others to visit John’s website, and to attend or book any of his future presentations. He has other programs available. His latest book, viagra 50mg, is currently for sale.

Patricia Cummings
– The one ballad that I recorded for Quilter’s Muse Publications and Virtual Museum is a song called “,” a long English narrative about a woman who killed her babe, and whose fate was the gallows.

A second long Irish ballad that I sing is “.”

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September 18th, 2009

The question – “Can you tell me where to buy turkey red embroidery thread?”

At first, I was floored by this question because I wondered where the reader found the term and why she was asking me. Mystified, and short on time, when I read the one-line message, I wrote back, “Why do you want to know?”

The subsequent reply was that she had seen a (19th century) pillow, worked in turkey red thread, in an article I wrote for the current issue of magazine.

If someone were to go into a general store that carries hobby supplies, like JoAnn Fabrics or Michael’s, and were to ask for “turkey red” thread, the look on the face of the customer service representative would be priceless. Most likely, the person would not have a clue as to what the customer meant.

“Turkey Red” is a process, not a specific color, that was effected by the use of root madder dye and many processing steps, in other centuries. Today, companies such as DMC and Anchor make red embroidery thread, some colors of which can sometimes approximate the color of 19th century dyes.

The main quality that accounted for the popularity of so-called “Turkey Red” thread, in the 19th century, is that it is colorfast and lightfast. Yet, not all thread that was used for embroidery, at that time, had those endearing properties.

“Turkey Red,” madder-based fabrics were printed, as well. To see and/or purchase simulated fabrics of that kind, visit website.

As far as thread goes, none of it is now commercially called “Turkey Red,” a relatively archaic term. At least, not at this writing. I may give someone an idea. However, embroidery threads are sold by number, not color name.

In the recent past (early 1990s), some thread manufacturers had “issues” due to changes in environmental laws. Some reds were unstable. However, the problem seems to be resolved.

My best advice for choosing threads for outline stitch embroidery (Redwork, Bluework, etc.) is to choose a cotton embroidery floss that you like, in whatever color you choose, even perhaps a variegated color for a more viagra 50mg look. For more information, you may want to consider purchasing my CD e-book: viagra 50mg that does provide more specific information. It is listed on my on our website.

Best wishes,

Patricia Cummings

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September 17th, 2009

at Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, New Hampshire, presented a talk titled, “Free Speech in a Free Society,” at Folsom Tavern on the grounds of the in Exeter, New Hampshire, on September 17, 2009. The information was organized and presented in a flawless manner, reflecting the many years that this individual has taught classes in Law.

In greeting the public, in the small, intimate quarters of an upstairs meeting room that was filled to capacity, the speaker mentioned that the topic of free speech is very appropriate because 1) It is “Constitution Day,” and 2) There are two drafts of the Constitution in the museum, complete with “cross-outs, annotations, and doodling” in the margins. We always realized that the American Independence Museum is a very special landmark in our state, and this is something else to its credit!

The talk was extremely compelling. Practical examples were set forth that described how law might be applied across a large array of potential situations. The one example that looms large, in coming away from the talk, is that free speech is necessary in society in order to create a “marketplace of ideas.” When all ideas are not heard, someone’s personal expression is limited, which can be frustrating to an individual, and the situation can create social disharmony. The person who is not allowed to have his say (at a town meeting, or elsewhere) may choose more destructive means of expression (like making a Molotov cocktail in his basement).

I think we’ve all seen in the news the results of what can happen to those whose ideas are not considered. They may be the ones who suddenly “go postal.” (This is my statement, not that of Dr. Hesse).

I loved this presentation! The meaning of the First Amendment (“Government can make no law …”) was explained, as well as the concepts that surround free speech in our society. The lecture was just one of many in a series endowed by grants from the , a group that plans to host Salman Rushdie, author of viagra 50mg and other books, as the keynote speaker this coming month, (October 13, at a dinner, by pre-registration).

The professor spoke for 50 minutes and then took questions. My intent is not to give away his whole talk, but just to tell you enough so that you will want to attend yourself, if and when he presents the topic again. As always, we are so grateful for these marvelous lectures that are so informative. I feel that I have a much better understanding of this topic now, thanks to Dr. Hesse. We have attended perhaps 11 of these lectures this season and each one has added so much to our appreciation of many facets of Humanities, from Music to Poetry to Symbology of Gravestones, and so much more! Thank you!

Patricia Cummings

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September 16th, 2009

When I think of performers who epitomize my memory of folk music in the 1960s, I recall Mary Travers, a pretty girl with long, straight, blonde hair, a mere wisp of the woman she would become. She and her two fellow musicians, Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, gave us much of the music worth recalling from that decade. They followed the lead of The Weavers, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie, who sang their politics at a time when it was important for America’s young voices to be heard. They sang for peace, for racial equality, and for the sheer joy of keeping old folk songs alive and reviving other tunes.

Mary was 72. In recent years, leukemia was the ultimate reason her voice was no longer heard publicly. In a sense, the people whom we remember well, live on in our hearts, at least until we old hippies succumb to the same fate, when life ebbs. We loved the fervor and the sincerity of the way that Peter, Paul and Mary delivered their music. Their music was nothing, if not meaningful, at all times.

Here is a link to an official .

While we mourn this loss, we are also aware that Mary is now free of the pain and suffering that is inevitable in every life. Personally, I will not choose to remember her in any other way than as a young, vibrant woman with a strong will and voice whose music was an inspiration to me, as a teenager. God bless you, Mary. And now … you’re on your way.

Patricia Cummings

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September 16th, 2009

Background

Growing up during the 1950s, I remember our first television was a heavy monstrosity that no one could lift. It had a tiny screen. I believe it had rabbit ears, for reception. There was little of interest (to me) on TV. My brothers watched “Rin Tin Tin” and I liked “Lassie.” On Saturday nights, my parents always tuned in to view “Lawrence Welk.”

As I got older, I loved to watch “I Love Lucy,” because I liked “Ricky’s” strong Spanish accent and because the scenes were so outrageously funny. I don’t recall going to the movies with the entire family. My older brother took me to go see “Gone With the Wind,” although my mother worried that it might be a little too “advanced” for me. It wasn’t.

Movies in Abundance Now

Jim likes movies. He likes shoot ‘em up, blood, gore and guts movies. I guess it’s a guy thing. I like movies that involve psychological studies of the mind. His choices don’t usually hold my interest. Last night was different.

When I walked into the room, the television was portraying a pseudo-execution scene of a young woman, by lethal injection. Somehow, the protagonist’s life was spared, in exchange for learning to be a trained killer. The plot thickens as she takes a lover, but is always trying to maintain a no-questions asked persona, while she carries out orders to execute people. “Point of No Return” is a riveting movie because the viewer is kept on the edge of his seat, waiting to see what happens next. Jim tells me that the film is a take-off on “La Femme Nikita,” a French movie that won awards at Cannes Film Festival.

For me, the most intriguing moment of the whole story was when the Spanish son, “Cuando Calienta El Sol,” began to play in the background. I learned this song in Spanish class, in 1965. (I’ve written out the words below, although I can’t add accent marks to this blog program).

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which means —

When the sun shines on the beach
When your body is vibrating next to mine

It is your heart beating, it is your face,
It is your hair, it is your kisses …
I shudder (shiver/vibrate) – oh, oh, oh

When the sun shines, here on the beach
I feel your body vibrating next to me.

It is your breathing, your memory,
my craziness, my delirium, I shiver – oh, oh, oh
Cuando calienta el sol.

Pretty hot stuff for Freshman Spanish, eh? Luis Miguel, a young singer, has a lively video of this song on YouTube.

It’s always fun to find a movie that Jim and I can actually stand to watch together, all the way through. The last one was “Julie and Julia,” one that is already a classic, I believe.

Wishing you passion and love in your life!

Patricia Cummings

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September 15th, 2009

Press Release – September 15, 2009

Auction of Red Sox Quilt on eBay to Benefit The New England Quilt Museum Begins Today

viagra 50mg by (now) well-known historian, Fergus M. Bordewich, is wonderfully written. Although it has taken him years to be able to write this true story, and to put all that happened into perspective, he does so with fine turns of phrase, and with a sincerity that helps the reader to become absorbed into the pain he felt in losing his mother, tragically, at an early age.

The accident was not his fault, although he felt guilt over it. His mother, riding a run-away horse in Vermont, that would not slow down, panicked and dismounted in flight, only to be trampled to death by her son’s galloping horse that was right behind her. This book shows the gamut of emotions that would encompass such an event that could not be un-done.

Moreover, his remembrances bring her to life again, even now, as he recalls her proficiency at writing, and at being an advocate for Native Americans, and her hobnobbing with politicians and V.I.P.s to effect changes in the world. Alas, he viagra 50mgbring her to mind, but not back to life, and therein lies the common grief of all of us who have loved and lost. That, I believe is what makes this piece of writing so vital. Above all, it reflects the human condition. Life can be snuffed out, like a candle, with virtually no warning. Then, all we have are memories.

In reading this book, I remembered a pretty little girl in the town where I grew up, and where my son spent his first formative school years. She was the most popular girl in class, with her long, curly tresses and fair skin. I am not certain, but I believe the accident happened when she and my son were in the first grade, but no later than the second grade.

Her parents had bought her a pony. Her Dad went into the house to use the restroom before removing the pony from the van. He told her not to go near the pony. She disobeyed. When he returned outside, there was no pony in sight and his daughter was missing, too. Her broken and bleeding body was found several miles down the dirt road where they lived. She’d been dragged, and she no longer breathed.

This senseless tragedy had a tremendous impact on the school children. For some, it was their first experience with Death. Oh sure, some of them had grandparents who had “passed on,” but old people are expected to die, not kids who have barely started their lives.

The similarity of the two stories is that they both involve sudden death, and they both are related to horses. The two components do not necessarily go hand in hand, but they can. It is a wake up call to all of us who work with horses or have children who are involved in horse-related activities. A little bit of caution goes a long way.

As a collective body of humans, we inwardly mourn when we hear of things like this. Our first sense is to ponder, and to wonder why. The second sense is to simply cry.

We have many lessons to learn along the road of life. Sometimes we can walk around the stones. Other times, we are faced with boulders that we must somehow get around, or get over, or drill our way through. As bad as life can get, there is comfort in knowing that yet another day will dawn. The sun always shines again, if we wait long enough.

Patricia Cummings

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September 14th, 2009

“” is a song that I know, but I don’t remember where I first heard it, or learned to sing it. The tune is memorable. In a sense, the words speak of a different America, one that many of us think about in a nostalgic way … one that included railroads.

If you think about trains and motion pictures, and are at all familiar with silent films, you will know that trains were often seen. The damsel in distress was tied to the railroad irons and about to be run over by a train, when her hero rescues her and they both go off into the sunset together.

In the song, “Trouble in Mind,” the writer talks about letting the 2:19 train ease his troubled mind. We know what that means. They don’t call this music, the “Blues,” for no reason.

Today, we mostly see broken down, old boxcars, sitting on tracks that now are overgrown with grass and shrubs. The age of the American train is all but over, unless you count commuter trains such as the Amtrak train that whizzes by, in back of my son’s house, shaking and rattling the contents of the house at it noisily follows its appointed route to Boston.

In New Hampshire, we still have that makes it way up Mt. Washington, a feat in train engineering, and a steady tourist attraction. In Maine, President’s Restaurant has a high shelf that allows a toy train to circulate through the rooms. At Christmas, some folks place toy trains around their trees. Yes, we Americans are fascinated with trains. The image of trains has shown up on the surface of fabrics, vintage and new, a number of times.

Fabric with images of old trains

When I was a kid, I remember my mother recounting a tale about one of her cousins who lived down South. He was kind of a hobo as he’d “hop a train,” riding in an empty boxcar, headed north, during the Great Depression. He knew my grandmother was a good cook and there was always plenty to eat, partly because my grandfather cultivated a large garden for his family of 13, and pear trees whose fruit Nana and the older girls “put up.” That cousin would visit until he’d worn out his welcome, and then he’d move on. However, like the swallows to Capistrano, he’d return.

The one thing I really like about “Trouble in Mind” is the glimmer of hope it offers. When the day is dark and hope seems lost, it is good to cling to an idea such as “the sun’s gonna shine in my back door someday.”

With no trouble in mind this morning, I’ll get dressed and go about my chores and errands for the day. I hope your day is all that is can be, and that you will have no “trouble in mind.”

Patricia Cummings

Quilter’s Muse Publications

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September 13th, 2009

At the moment, there are some terrific art quilts up for auction on the SAQA site. This is also a chance for the public to view the Gallery and to begin to see and understand what an art quilt might look like. Check out the quilts. Bid, if you can.

This is brought to you as a public service announcement by .

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September 13th, 2009

This morning, I wanted to show you two quilt blocks that were constructed, on paper, by a beautiful person. First, I will show you this person who was outwardly beautiful.

Ellen Webster as a young person

Ellen Webster, as a young person

Ellen Webster was someone who loved history and that included the history of her town and of her family. The following quilt block that she pasted up with fabrics on a paper background is certainly artistically-rendered, and very beautiful.

spray of roses block

Original design by Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster

I wondered why the leaf on the left edge was lopped off, and I found the answer to that in her diary!

Hardy family genealogy block by Ellen Hardy Webster

Hardy family genealogy block constructed by Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster

During my research, I discovered a quilt block from New Hampshire that is very similar to Ellen’s, as if made by the same person. That is discussed in my 355 page e-book with 340 photos that plays on any computer, using Adobe Reader. (Hint: Don’t try to open the file with any other kind of reader). Adobe Reader is FREE to download.

In just these two quilt blocks I have shown you, it is easy to see the care and precision that Ellen brought to her creative work. She was very artistic, as is readily apparent, but moreover, she wanted to preserve the work of other New England women (and beyond) whose antique quilts she had seen at various meetings and quilt shows that she judged. Ellen was highly respected, in her time, as a teacher of Bible studies, a writer, lecturer, pianist/organist, bird lover, and other roles she took, in life.

Her story is a classic one of a farm born girl of the mid-nineteenth century, who married a dentist and traveled the world. The 162 quilt charts were given to a museum. The spirit of her work lives on in the colorful and detailed CD produced by James and Patricia Cummings and exclusively available for $24.95 plus $3.95 shipping, ($28.90). The detailed information included in this work will amaze you!

This would make a wonderful holiday gift or Christmas present! The CD even shows a photo of the Hardy family all gathered together for Christmas in 1892.

Viewing the details of the life of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster and considering the many good works of her hands and mind is a thrill. I only wish I’d met her.

Patricia Cummings –

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September 12th, 2009

After months of waiting, and having this book on pre-order with amazon, on Friday, the book, viagra 50mg by Annie Hanshew arrived in the mail. This is an oversize book with many beautiful photos of quilts from sugans to quilts that depict the activities of Montana’s Indian (Native American) population. For good measure, there is even the story of a Sanitary Commission Quilt thrown into the mix. Anyone who loves quilt history will be delighted with this latest state documentation book, the work of many dedicated volunteers. From the beautiful quilt on the cover, to what is written inside the covers, to the introduction and the contents, this book is a page turner. I’ve yet to devour every word, but even a brief overview shows this book to be one of interest and note.

Many congratulations for work well done, and to those who served as advisers on the project, including Margo Kramer, a quilt historian and

Patricia Cummings

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September 12th, 2009

This is a copy of information brought to you courtesy of the Sampler Consortium, an international organization of scholars, historians, curators, educators, genealogists, textile conservators, collectors, dealers, and needlework enthusiasts interested in the study of historic samplers and other girlhood embroideries.

Exhibit of 33 samplers from the collection of the Portsmouth Historical Society and the private collection of Jean Sawtelle. On display at the John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth, NH through October 31, 2009. The samplers are arranged chronologically, with information about the sampler makers as well as the schools, when available. On sale during the event, the new second edition of In Female Worth and Elegance: Sampler and Needlework Students and Teachers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1741-1840 – available for purchase for $20. Gallery talks on September 26 and October 31.

The Portsmouth Historic House Association hosts a tour highlighting textiles on display at the museums of Portsmouth, NH on Friday, September 18, from 1 to 4 pm. The tour will focus on needlework by Portsmouth women in the 18th and 19th centuries, including samplers and other embroidered items. The tour will highlight five needlework exhibits, including samplers at the Moffatt-Ladd House and the John Paul Jones House, which is featuring its exhibit: Stitches in Time: The Portsmouth Samplers from 1760-1840.

The contact person for the Sampler Consortium seems to be.

We have an ongoing interest in Antique Schoolgirl Samplers. See our online file:

Patricia Cummings

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September 12th, 2009

Wars are necessary, or at least, it would appear that humans think so. It all starts with someone taking away your toy, when you are young. You want it back, so you learn to be combative. You also learn to slam the toy over the other kid’s head, so he won’t think of taking your precious item, ever again. Yes, we all have that slamming tendency, especially when we come up against people whom we can’t control.

We have been attempting to control the Taliban in Afghanistan ever since we went in there. As someone carefully explained in a media report awhile ago, there are no big towns in Afghanistan, save Kabul and a few others. Mostly, you have residents who live in a collection of small homes, in the middle of nowhere, so to speak. There are farmers who grow their opium and market it at a high price. For a while, they were raising wheat because wheat grew well, too, but opium rules. These natives are wishy-washy as to their allegiances. They can be real chummy with Americans, but when the Taliban shows up, fear gets them back in line.

It is rather doubtful that we can erase every last Taliban operative … ever. It’s a breed of fanatic that we don’t understand, who are pervasive and persistent. As much as we abhor the idea, there is no way to control those misguided souls, except temporarily. You see, their religious principles of wanting to subjugate the world, to their version of Islam, is very strong. If you will pardon me for saying this, their self-righteous fervor is not unlike the rigid fanaticism of the Catholic Church in Spain in the 15th century when they drove Muslims out, and burned the Jews who continued to practice their religion, during the Spanish Inquisition.

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, said yesterday that she believes the American people are tired of the war in Afghanistan and that they will not support another huge deployment of armed forces.

I hope that is true. I hope that we are all sick to our stomachs at the carnage of our troops. I don’t know the number of war dead on “our” side. I know that for one death, many mourn. Personally, I know of only one person who has undergone such a loss, as a parent. I can only guess that tears continue to come, at the least expected moment, as they will, until she herself dies.

We have many broken lives and broken dreams in this country because of the war. I speak for myself when I say that I am worn thin hearing about it. I can’t even envision how great a loss our fellow Americans have experienced, in all, since that fateful day of September 11, 2001. With major problems facing this country, we are spread too thin, trying to “save the world” by armed intervention. I am not sure when we appointed ourselves as Big Brother/Peacekeepers.

The ideological divide is far too great. We could stay “there” for a thousand years. We will never “win.” It’s time to count our dead and to say “enough is enough.”

With many thanks to those who have served this Great Nation, and to their families,

Respectfully,

Patricia Cummings

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