GHOSTS AND SPIRITS OF THE DEAD-HERE.

The Mother Lode has an abundance of ghosts and spirits that reside or at least visit local hotels. Why hotels? Well, each has its own story. Columbia's Fallon House, had a paranormal researcher use high tech instruments to see if they were haunted. His conclusion? "Yup, You've got ghosts." Visitors and employees have reported ghosts in the Murphys Hotel, Jamestown's National Hotel and Willow Hotel. Columbia's City Hotel, Dorrington's only hotel, Sonora's Gunn House, and Groveland's Hotel Charlotte. But, the most well known is the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill. The ghost has been continually reported from the early gold mining days and people still get spooked in the old inn. None of the ghosts are dangerous, some hug men, others tuck you into your sheets or move things about. So, if you are looking, come on up and try one of the rooms. The employees know which rooms are most likely to experience a visit.

What gets my attention are stories from children who have no idea what sensationalism is all about. Like the 9 year old boy who told his mother, as they drove by a certain spot, on a street in their new neighborhood. "That's where the car hit me!"   She ignored it the first time. Then, when he described being on his bike, and dying. She objected, but he was so chillingly serious she became intent on debunking and defusing his constant attention to that place. She talked to people in the neighborhood, and discovered newspaper articles about a boy who was killed in that exact manner, at that exact spot, many years earlier.

If I knew the mother? But I don't. Still, I've heard a number of them and they give me pause. I have to ask myself, why would a mother put her reputation and that of her child at risk to ridicule? And what benefit does such a tale serve them? Unless it happens to me, I guess I'll never know.

A WITCH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Somewhere between Raising Hell and  Amazing Grace is the Neighborhood Witch, Jan Stewart. I'm sure she didn't start out to be a witch, but it happens every year about this time.

 She brews up potions. She claimed to be out of eye of newt, but this stuff looks suspicious to me. It had a medicinal taste. Yes, we tried it.

 This one was not finished brewing.

 This one was very sweet. Witches do not use alcohol, but you'd never know it to taste this stuff.

She claims to have eyeballs in the jar above, none of us were brave enough to trust to a taste test.

And this, believe it or not, is a decorated jawbone of a buffalo. Indians used them as weapons, Jan uses them in spells. You may think this is fake, but it is a real buffalo jaw bone. Some witches are quite creative.

I don't know if this helps explain anything or not, but, its the parking sign in her yard. We know to laugh a lot in our neighborhood. I think this part is Hell Raising. Hope you enjoy Halloween.

HOOKED ON OLD PHOTOS

I'll have to admit I've become fascinated by aspects of the old photos I'm working with. It should come as no surprise because out on the road I've looked at other peoples old photos in museums or old houses and they have this compelling attraction. What really affects me is seeing  unknown faces sweetly sad or sincere staring at me in a second hand store-discarded.

Seeing them gives you a small glimmer into what life was like. Wearing dresses buttoned up high on the neck would drive me nuts. Tight, scratchy and less comfortable materials than we are used to, besides. And the hat. I once tried to copy my aunt's hat in paper for a fourth grade project. I think I still have a picture of it and now I'm bent on finding it and seeing how well I did.

 Somehow, I didn't see this picture of my mother and a boyfriend of hers until she was 79 years old. It was given to her by a friend who didn't want to throw it away. It brought gales of laughter to both of us. My dignified mother in this funny pose. I never thought of my mom acting like a typical young girl. Older photos tend to be so serious.

Everyone called me a "Tomboy" when I was growing up.  Now I see where I got it from. I loved climbing trees, but in a skirt and hat? Not on your life!  What a hoot to see Aunt Alice up a tree. Now, I'm thinking, I should resort to having my picture taken doing something silly so my great grandchildren can laugh at me.

 Here is my uncle Myron in a "formal" photograph. Boys then were dressed in dresses until they no longer needed diapers. He was very special to my grandmother because he was her first son. My grandmother lost six children that were still born before his birth. That figure alone boggles my mind.

And, look at that fancy chair! The fancy chairs and props the studios used in those days for photos also fascinates me. Some of you know I take pictures of chairs where ever I go. 

 Then Jim reminded me I already have some pretty silly photos. This one, an imitation of Minny Pearl while we were shopping for a hat for him.

And, here I am up a tree picking apples last year. But somehow, I don't think I look silly. Aunt Alice probably didn't think she looked sill either. Time will tell.

OLD AND NEW PHOTO RESCUE.

Last year Jim transferred his slides and family photos to digital format by scanning them and saving them on his computer. When we visited his family this year, in August, he gave a slide show of family pictures. Now he is scanning my family photos to my computer so that I can do the same.

I have an original of this photo of my great grandfather and his siblings. The French way is to leave a space for a loved one deceased as you can see in the back row.

 About 15 years ago, I took my 35 millimeter camera and zeroed in on individuals in the picture using 400 speed film with a 55 millimeter lens. My equipment was not expensive, professional stuff, but they turned out quite well and scanned well, too. I like the idea of getting a closer view of my ancestors faces.

In 2004, at a family reunion, my cousin allowed me to choose from among her mother's pictures and had them made for me. They were beautiful black and whites. I hadn't looked at them in several years and much to my dismay, discovered they were like proofs, beginning to fade and chemically turn purple. I have no idea where she had them done but the paper seems to be quality photo paper. My point is, check your vintage photos. Since digital arrived on the scene, computerized photo reproduction may not be as stable as in the old days.

Some of the snap shots are quite small. Even so, they show up quite well on a full computer screen, and better yet on your television.
When Jim did his family slide show, he hooked his computer to their family television set. Without too much difficulty, most newer television sets will accept a connection. Then the family enjoyed the show together.


 Color pictures are also digitally rewarding. There was a time when I would have considered this method of rescuing pictures as inadequate because I envisioned losing them in cyber-space. Now, I know the difference. I can actually edit them in a computer program and enhance the originals, yet your computer saves both the originals and the enhancement. I haven't done that with any of these family photos, but I have recently learned to do that with my current photos and I like the improvements.
Plus, you can save then to a disc where the pictures do not tear or fade and hand them out to other family members economically. You can print them out from your disc and also give a slide show from the disc inside your computer. Be warned that anything saved on a disc needs to be re-saved in 10 or so years. Disc quality is not yet permanent, although I've been told there is a new archival quality disc available now.

 Saving your old and current photos on computer into separate "albums" allows you to be creative and separate a temporary "show" from a permanent one; to view a specific event like your grand kids soccer game, or a graduation or wedding. You can selectively mix pictures from one event with another event if you choose.  And, my last point is using the digital picture frame. I never thought I'd want to program a limited number of pictures into it and watch them cycle all day over and over again. I was so wrong. I love my digital picture frame and I don't sit it on the mantel and let it cycle all day. I download my photos on these cheap little flash drives, ($5.), and plug it into the frame. One day I might enjoy the horses and puppies, etc. at Michele Boulets' rescue ranch. Or another day watch the beautiful glass pieces from the Sandwich glass museum cycle by; or laugh at the Halloween costumes my kids wore when they were little.

I hadn't dug out my albums in years. Now I'm enjoying my pictures so much more.

LIVING WITH DIGNITY

 I received two inspirational messages, one from a self described #1 fan of mine by the name of Jerry McClellan, and the other from an old friend, retired Alameda County Sheriff's Deputy, Ron Heinsma. And, I continually admire the wit and wisdom of my gypsy friend, Randy Vining.

Methinks people don't like to be reminded of the homeless among us or those imprisoned. It sets up a bit of guilt we'd just as soon avoid. I should know, I have a homeless brother who is 62 years old. He's been in and out of jail. He worked as a carpenter all of his life until he had a stroke.

At a doctor's appointment in Sacramento, Friday, I walked by three homeless guys with their baggage and a shopping cart. They didn't ask for money, but I avoided eye contact with them just in case they would.  I don't feel safe, stopping, opening my purse in front of three obviously needy men. But it struck me that among themselves, all caught in similar circumstances, was a small community. They clung together, eating their breakfast of sweet rolls and coffee on the steps of a closed building.
 
My friend, Randy Vining, engages homeless people on a regular basis in his full time gypsy lifestyle. He states, and I concur, "It is a self-righteous and hateful spitefulness that... denies... minimal comforts to our fellow human beings. Needless suffering is a scandal to all who allow it." 
He makes that claim after speaking to the manager of a Mission in Eugene, Oregon that provides a secure locker, a day room to lounge and watch TV, with free magazines, haircuts, showers, food and a bed. The manager claims it costs a pittance to serve the homeless.

In my view, even if just the locker, showers and haircuts were supplied, it would provide a bit of dignity and hope to those looking to better themselves, or get a job, or a chance to volunteer to help others, or just relief from the downturns of life, whatever the cause.
Our cities and counties have the capacity to organize this community into a contributing group.  Don't each one of us have an inalienable right to place our weary bones on a section of earth without being chased away, no matter our circumstances?
People given a chance to contribute, can and will.  Please take a couple of minutes to watch the video Ron Heinsma sent me:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMOe_ZThDkc

Many years back,  someone suggested building rudimentary street shelters and French style street toilets in San Francisco to help out the homeless.The powers that be decided the shelters looked too much like dog houses, "embarrassing". The French style street toilets, a few anyway, did happen, if you have the change. Not free.

But, consider this bit of the milk of human kindness that operates under the radar, a heartwarming story sent to me by Jerry McClellan:   http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/airport.asp
Certainly if we have the capacity to provide businesses the means to earn billions, we should have the wherewithal to provide dignity to those who can no longer contribute. It is truly a scandal for a country as wealthy as ours to have people, including children, go hungry. And, to disenfranchise so many locked in jail, a wasted potential.

Note:  (Jim and I visited Angola earlier this year.)

QUILTING, ITS OWN REWARD

 Yesterday, I talked about one very special quilt that hangs each year at the Independence Hall Quilt Faire, the original Bi-centennial quilt.  With more than 100 quilts never before displayed here, I had much to choose from for today's blog.  Themes change from year to year. Themes develop from popular pattern makers, or new methods, or fabrics that follow pop culture. Quilters present it all. Some quilts use one huge central design with a border to great effect, like the bird above and the star, bear paws and flowers below.

Among the themes I've noticed over the years come teddy bears, cats, shoes, trees, and multiple explosions of color and  abstract placement of blocks. Some so complicated they have to be engineered on a computer or placed on a giant, room sized quilt board to make sense of the pattern. It can involve cutting one or two fabrics up, and sewing them back together again. I didn't see much of that this year, maybe the economy has affected quilting. After all, quilting evolved from hard scrabble times, when people threw nothing out. Every little scrap of fabric was saved and sewed together to make a usable blanket.

I call them rescue quilts. Here this woman lovingly quilts an old quilt top that someone had tossed. Small blocks of every color, pattern and hue. Simple and direct. Scrap quilts are still very popular at the faires I've attended, including this one.

 Home and family are always subjects for quilts. I didn't see many baby quilts at this year's faire, but a new take on homes was this habitat quilt with housing from many countries. A thatched roof...

 Houseboats...

 City dwellers apartments. Different.

Bird houses have been all the rage in the last few years.

 Families love to celebrate their loved ones in a quilt as in this 50th anniversary quilt.

 Applique is considered a difficult quilt, small pieces, laboriously hand folded narrow edges. Old time appliques were subtle, and beautiful. New methods make applique easier, and new appliques are much more brightly colored with fabrics of great diversity as well.

 Below is the whole affect, though not every block shows in the photo.

 Pinwheels are an old time pattern. They make a beautiful quilt. The triangles were common scraps when making clothing and women learned to make quilts using pointed scraps.

 The faire has many categories, such as wearable quilted pieces, wall hangings, dolls and other needlework. Women who sew, love it all.

 This woman's pants weren't on display but it is common to find quilters at the faire wearing their own handwork.

This quilter provided a unique way to display buttons she liked.

 The category for dolls brought this American Gothic entry.

This little wall hanging reminds me of Amish country, with quilts on the line. Fun!

 And this abstract wall hanging is a different form of needlework. Beautiful.
For a look at my quilt photos click on the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/1579penn/102410Quilts#

INDEPENDENCE HALL QUILTERS OF ARNOLD, CALIFORNIA

This weekend past was the 33rd Annual Mountain Heirloom Quilt Faire put on by the Independence Hall Quilters of Arnold. In 1976, for the Bi-centennial Celebration, cities and counties across the nation were encouraged to choose projects representative of our colonial past to help celebrate the Bi-centennial. In Calaveras County, the most lasting tribute to that celebration is the Bicentennial Quilt made that year by about 12 women who quilted together at Independence Hall in Arnold.


 This amazing quilt was put together with thoughtful consideration for each community in the county, exemplifying the special attribute of that place in 18 blocks. Mark Twain is rendered writing his famous story of the Jumping Frog Of Calaveras County.

Old time firefighters from Mokelumne Hill.

 The famous bandit, Black Bart was jailed in San Andreas, the County Seat. The document is readable, it is so finely worked in thread.

 Because gold mining is part of our heritage, the blocks were sewn into a background of gold material. 

 The bald eagle of the United States flys above; the center of the quilt holds a Bear Republic Insignia and the Insignia of the County of Calaveras. All of this took permissions from the artist who designed the Insignia and from the county. What an undertaking; what a successful and beautiful endeavor. 

As I reminisced over the various blocks two people were attempting to find the five frogs on the quilt. Four of them are pretty easy, but the fifth one is difficult to find. Who thought to put a bit of mystery into the quilt?
The great part of this affair is that the Independence Hall Quilters formed their group and have become one of the top quilter's guilds in the nation. They have maintained, over those 33 years, a huge membership that hovers between 250 and 225. Like a family, they work together, socialize, learn new techniques, teach and revel in fabric art. 

Their Faire is as unique as they are. Quilts on display can never be repeated. Thus a conservative estimate of 3,300 quilts have been exhibited by countless numbers of quilters over the years. Also unique to this Faire is the antique "heritage" props the men and women of the group arrange to enhance the quilts displayed. There are male quilters, but these men are the husbands who have become involved in the undertaking along with their wives.

The couples enjoy a set-up party; with music and great food. They do the same in reverse as each year the quilts are taken down and their owners come to pick them up. Some come by UPS and are returned the same way.

 Besides the quilts and props and parties, the quilters sew a challenge quilt, a raffle quilt and provide multiple quilts for the Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity. They provide quilts for those in need locally as well. The money they earn from their Faire provides student scholarships. What a wonderful bunch of empowered women. And it all started with this quilt. 

GETTING READY

All around me are the signs of Halloween. Yet unpicked pumpkin fields both yellow and white.

 Pumkins waiting on the porch to become jack-o-lanterns...


Kids rushing the season a bit by toilet-papering this house...





And, finding a bloody hand in your yard.Hmm!
Par for the course, around here. We definitely have spirits interested in making Halloween a fun event. It has become a huge event in recent years... big business as well. Kids scaring each other silly, scary costumes, frightening stories, great ghoulish stuff to choose from every where you shop. What's not to like?
The candy. Give me Christmas any day for candy. Halloween candy sucks.

My email, just like yours has scads of great Halloween jokes, but one card this year is the best: http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3125133/graphic1