Online since 2002. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH
MUSIC
and Poems from the Spanish-speaking world
Songs in Spanish
Special file about Jose Martí and his Poetry and a Crazy Quilt block inspired by "Versos Sencillos," and a link to the song, Guantanamera
"Los Dos Reyes y Los Dos Laberintos," a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, recited in Spanish by Patricia Cummings
ART
"Voces y Visiones": A Traveling Exhibit of Latino Art from El Museo del Barrio, Manhattan, NY. Review written by Patricia Cummings of an exceptional traveling exhibit that was hosted by the Currier Art Museum in Manchester, NH.!
This exhibit review also appears in an article by Patricia Cummings for Unravel the Gavel newspaper, Volume 17, Number 4, May 19 - June 15, 2006.
CULTURE
Bullfight: a photo essay about a bullfight in the Portuguese style in Calahorra, Spain in August 1972.
TEXTILES
Las Colchas de New Mexico: an historical overview of colcha-making that stems from early Spanish colonization of the southwest.
Discussion of arpilleras, made in Peru and elsewhere in South America.
Molas: Indigenous Textile Art Made by the Kuna Indians: a history of this art form created by Indians who live in an archipelago off the coast of Panama.
Blog on World School Guatemala about Antiqua, Guatemala: a description of Holy Week 2008 and the alfombras displayed there, an essay by Rachel DeNoble, a student at High Tech High School, San Diego.
The Most Beautiful Quilter in Argentina My friend, Gloria, of La Pampa, and her quilt activities.
International Friends - I have enjoyed having friends from around the world, from as far back as when I was in high school and corresponded with a pen pal in Guanajuato, Mexico.
LETTER RE: 9-11-01
"Para Mis Amigas" - Patricia Cummings' thoughts as a quilter, about 9-11-01. This was previously published in The Appliqué Society Newsletter.
Both a Spanish and an English version are available on this website. The other name for the file is "A Stitch in Time."
IMMIGRATION REFORM
One of the greatest challenges facing the United States, at the moment, is how to legislate fair and equitable laws regarding immigration, as well as how to deal with the proposed "guest worker" program, barricades on our borders, and the human issues of health care and education for the perhaps up to twenty million immigrants who have entered this country illegally, and/or legally. My sincere hope is that the U.S. Congress re-visit this issue again soon, and that they will institute plans that result in a just and logical solution.
When we build walls, we must always consider whom we are "fencing in" and "fencing out," to paraphrase Robert Frost in his poem, "Mending Wall." The ways in which some people have come into this country are astounding: crawling on their bellies through tunnels that carry sewerage, being locked in boiling hot transport trucks, and other degrading methods.
A realistic policy is needed, now!
With tolerance and understanding, together we must strive to overlook our collective differences, and find out what we have in common. All humans have the same basic needs. Those do not vary from culture to culture, or from country to country. We should concentrate on the human elements we share, one of which is the need to be treated with respect and kindness.
Patricia L. Cummings
Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH.
December 10, 2006/ November 30, 2008
Additional Files
"A Day Without Immigrants" Rally, Manchester, NH. May 1, 2006
Speech by Dr. Ernesto Sagas in Manchester, NH in May 2006, re: Immigrants
Table of Contents