When We All Get to Heaven

Ihno C. Gerdes is walking the paths of heaven after living 101 years, 8 months, and 19 days on this earth. Dear Husband was a pall bearer for this Wayne centurions.
He was one of our Old Settler's, born, raised and died in Wayne County. We are sad to lose a century long resident and neighbor. He had remarkably good health and still lived at home and taking care of his farm till a few months ago.
Teddy Roosevelt was President, when this man was born!! What history he has lived!
This book I found at a Wayne county auction is entitled,

"Lyrics of Homeland"--Eugene J. Hall ...published 1882
The lyric and above picture seem to speak of Ihno.

--His hair was gray, his form wus spare,
He hed a grave an' solem' mien;
an' mid its menny lines o' care wus seen.

A rusty suit o' black he wore;
Each sabbath morn he used to stand
Behind the ancient door,
the bell- rope in his hand.
He rang the marriage bell,
To greet with hope the blushin bride;
He tolled the slow an' solem' knell
When dearly loved ones died.

When winter winds blew keen an' shrill,
When summer roses were in bloom,
He drove the dark hearse o'er the hill
That bore'em to the tomb.

When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be!
Hymn by Mrs. J.G. Wilson sung for Ihno Gerdes by Natalie Brown

Our Capitol on Display

The news have our eyes focused on the capitol. A time in our history, where a new President will take office.
It brings to my thoughts and prayers a quote, I remember learning of our White House.
It comes from the first President to reside within it's walls.
"I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none, but the wise men ever rule under this roof."
. ----John Adams----
Interesting that this building was designed by an Irish American architect, James Hoban.
Constructed by free and enslaved African-American, along with many immigrants who newly arrived to this country. My prayers are the same. Guide and direct all those who will now have our country liberties in their hands.

Thinking about Warmer Places

So bitterly cold today and dark. January weather always has me thinking of warm places. This is a favorite site of my sister. She goes any chance she can arrange. Brenda tells me that is how she gets through the winter. "I look forward to going to Hawaii." I will be dreaming of a time... It has been 40 some years, since I have been to the islands. I have been content to live and very happy at my humble cabin abode. But when it is cold, I can always dream of sometime.
I am off to another three days at work. That definately, will keep me busy and warm. Sitting by my woodstove with thoughts of warmer places and warming up the car. These are things that helps me get through this coldness of January. Goal to start another project next week... maybe of a warmer place...

Leaving Heirlooms

Beautiful oak end tables my Husband made for our four children this Christmas.
We try to give gifts that will be remembered for a lifetime. Sometimes it is hard to meet our own goals. We do believe to always give from the heart. Husband's assignment was the making of the gifts this year. He decided to design tables after an heirloom, we have received from his great great grandfather. A total of five tables were completed. But only two completed by Christmas day. We had cut our deadline a bit close. Good news, though was I ended up with the pro to type which is beautiful as you can see. The girls took their's home on Christmas and the boys will take at a later date. They will find them living at the cabin loft.
These tables were made from an oak tree on our land. Last year during an severe ice storm, several trees were destroyed in our forest.
Then last spring my husband and son finished removing them and husband milled them for use in projects. The rest of the trees have been made into floor boards and are waiting to be laid at my eldest son's living room and dining room. Hopefully, to be completed this week as the bitter cold weather stops other activities.

Cherished Knitting gift

I subscribed to Piecework magazine, because it features all needlework lost and revived. It is a bimonthly issue and i look forward to reading it. Jan/Feb is featuring the art of knitting. An Eleanor Roosevelt article tells of her ubiquitous knitting even while being a mother of six, political activist, first lady during wartime. Much was written about her knitting for others, she believed it allowed her to think while excluded from political meetings,she absorbed all things heard from the voices of men. Later becoming the first U.S. delegate to the United Nations.
Knitting has become a huge revival with the younger generations as well as those who carried on the arts taught by their grandmothers.
I have enjoyed watching the knitting art catch as if by wildfire among my friends at work. We have two lovely sisters, who love to knit for their family and have the patience to teach any and all, who have become interested. Christmas season was found in all the cubbies at work bits of yarn and totes with scarves of all colors.
Such joy to see them all become excited about the accomplishment of finished gifts.
I for one have not learn this art of yarn but enjoy using their leftover bits of colorful yarn in my Crazyquilting. I stand back and admire their beautiful work. As you can see, I was also a receiver of one of those beautiful scarves. Thank you friend.
"...I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on. "--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Passing on our Passions

It is always a joy when someone shows a desire to do what they know you love. My daughters never seem to be interested or have the desire. I have three granddaughters. During visits at different times in their lives, I have had projects ready to help stimulate their creativity. My two youngest always seem to have fun working on them together. But the youngest, Maddy is the one who continued to ask how to do more.
This year, we got her a beginning sewing machine and have been doing classes together. She is catching on and I believe will manage well to practice at home. She knows she will not get any tips from her mother. But the Singer did come with a nice CD for directions, if she forgets the basic threading etc. I remember asking my grandmother and great grand about all their hand sewing and having them teach me. It still brings memories of sitting by them visiting and many little stitches. I have done this with all three of the girls. Hopefully at sometime they will show interest again. It is a joyful memory for me and hopefully the girls.

Happy New Year 2009

Another year!!! Many blessings and joy to everyone this new year. Much stitching to all of you. My goal is to accomplish much more stitches this year. Martha Green stated in a class once,"Even when we have high maintenance lives, we can always accomplish stitching projects." She has such beautiful, colorful, artful quilts to display. She has accomplished much each year. So to each of you, accomplish much and seek the creative part of you to be fulfilled with many artful projects. Just do it!