Honchey

Week 20...Wow!! I can't believe we are so far along...Everyone else not me!!...I am trying to get caught up with a few...cutting the sections and picking out the fabric....Things are settling down a bit for me...I was called in to work for several days..tomorrow is my last for awhile....It was a blessing tho...Here's another letter....H.

Letter # 11

From the sizes of the children on page 25, I can estimate that Chester won
his pony "Tip" in 1914. I believe that the children in the photo are Chester
(age 7); and his sisters, Florence (age 2); and Mabel (age 10.) I was concerned
that we had another widower on our hands because Chester's mother was not in the
picture, but that was not the case. Chester's parents were very much alive and
their names were Marshal and Daisy (what a cute name!) I assumed that the man in
the picture was father Marshal, but I believe that my first thought was wrong.
Marshal was born in 1879, which would make the man in the picture 35 years of
age. I don't think so! Perhaps a grandfather? Marshal's father was named Hiram
and he was born in 1847. At the age of 18, Hiram served for nine months in the
Civil War. Could the man in the picture be Hiram at the age of 67?
Often I can find birth, marriage and death records, but not so in this
case. The last we know of Chester and his family is found in the 1930 census.
Grandpa Hiram and wife Marriette are both 83; parents Marshal and Daisy are 50 &
46; the oldest daughter Mabel is not listed (married?); Chester is 23; Florence
is 18; and a "new" brother Samuel is nine. Everyone is living in Wayne County,
which is located in northern New York state right on Lake Ontario. (Lake Ontario
borders the U.S. and Canada.)

QuiltE

Glad to know you are getting some sewing done, Honchey ... and that life is settling a little for you! Thank you for continuing to start these threads ... and another interesting story on one of our "original" PC'ers!

Just realized that we're almost at the next 15 marker ... and I am behind being that last week's aren't done, nor this week's and the latest pace doesn't look good for me getting back to the blocks for a bit. Good motivation for me to do so, so that I am caught up when we hit 45 ... and not be behind again!

All that being said ... I'm SO looking forward to the two day course this coming weekend. Not that I need any more projects!!!

QuiltingNinaSue

Ok...the saddle is officially posted, so everyone can get back into the saddle again. Red maple leaves honor the Canadians North of the US border, and their lovely country. I love the parts we seen back in July/August 1969...and that has been a few years ago.

Yes, I finished the FWSQ top today and it goes across the road to the Moss sisters to LA it. Its 90 inches by 90 inches without borders. Will post after I bind it. On to the Star and Cross quick pattern by Quilt in a Day; nine squares each 32 inches square will complete a queen/king size. then do the free material from FabHopShop:[ATTACH=CONFIG]337387[/ATTACH] in a pattern will post later. Love the colors I added to these pieces for a quick throw quilt. So good to have the FWSQ done. Wow. It took a long time to finish, but it is done!!!! Thanks, all, for your encouragement and so happy you have finished yours: quiltE and Mirabell.

mirabelle

QNS doesn't it feel good to have your FWS finished (well almost), it is definitely the sort of project that could become a long standing ufo if you tried to do it on your own, but with the encouragement of everyone each week it made it a joy to make

QuiltE

QNSue ... I noticed those lovely maple leaves and thank you for the tribute!!! It's looking like another couple of weeks before I can get back in that saddle too!

Of course you needed something more to do ... and then you had me curious of the pattern. Perhaps one of these? I really like the fabrics you're using, so soft and delicate.
http://www.quilterscache.com/S/StringStars2Block.html
http://cindysantiquequilts.com/dynapage/IP453.htm

.Oh please .... a photo before the Moss Sisters do their work ... surely you don't expect us to be THAT patient!

wendiq

Just to let you know, I am experiencing a case of the Malaise.....seems to be real. I've reached a point that I'm not being fulfilled with my endeavors. None of my kids care a bit about what I make....they have all the quilts they want. I do make some for charity and will probably make more. In fact, the blocks I've made for this project will most likely go to charity as nobody I know cares about the theme.....I'm 74 years old and feeling very "obsolete". I am NOT feeling sorry for myself....just the way it is. so if you don't see me here again, it's not because I don't care about you all. I will be lurking in the ether, enjoying all you do. You are a fun and involved group of quilters. I've got a pretty large stash that I need to work from......'cause same thing, nobody wants it......so I won't stop sewing......

gardnergal970

Wendig...I know I get a lot of pleasure when I'm making a quilt that I intend to give someone. Just to let you know....we value you and the contributions you make to this little Pony ride. Keep riding with us just for the company and the beautiful work you do

QuiltingNinaSue

Wendig, I am turning 70 this year; you are only as old as you feel in your heart and mind. if you are in your own home, can still cook, do laundry, and clean a bit in the house, you have still got a good life. The love of quilting is a added bonus. Please do not quit now Do what you want to do....if it is a different block, so be it. A lot of people are living to be a 100 or 103, so stay in the saddle with us, or with what you love to do.

I have realized I have more material than I can sew up in my lifetime and I have shared with others on this Pony trail; and they have been very gracious in receipt of it. Check out the Charity needs on this board, too. Check how the others on this Pony Trail support different charities with their quilts. Others are more or less in the same boat you are...no one to give to any more, or to leave it to others. Number One Rule: Enjoy every day as you want too...and I hope you will continue with us on this trail....virtual RV is nice for a rest...but getting into action will keep you involved.

janRN

Wendiq, first off you are not "obsolete"!! I understand what you're feeling. I worked full-time for 40+ years and semi-retired 3 yrs ago. I felt totally irrelevant. There was no validation. I felt like I was just taking up space on this planet and not giving anything back. I whined, and moaned, and pouted around for about a month. Then I thought "screw it!"--I contributed to society for all those years it's MY time now. No, my family doesn't want my quilts, I do donate lots to charities, etc. But now I quilt for ME. I'm making a Toucan block that has about 200 little pieces. Why? Because I want to. Do what you want--not what you think other people do or do not want. If there are 100 quilts in the closet when I die, so be it. At least I learned something making each of them and enjoyed my time my way. Hang in here with us--we really appreciate your work and input. Whine to us, bitch to us and we'll either whine or bitch back or try to laugh you out of your funk. Please know you are valued!!

QuiltE

Oh WendiQ ... I so agree with what the others have already said, so I'll try not to repeat it to much. And will try to give you a little more spin on it! I am somewhat an orphan ... no husband (passed), no kids (never had any), no parents (passed too), virtually no ILs (I say they "divorced" me when my husband died), and yes, I have siblings (have being the operative word and not much beyond that).

So it's all about me me me!!! Well kinda, sorta! My quilting is for me ... my release. I tend not make a quilt for an end purpose ... I let it talk to me as I make it and sometimes it's just for me. Sometimes as I go along, I decide, oh this would be perfect for this person, group, etc. I don't like the pressure of knowing it has to match to someone else's desires so that's the way it is. After I'm gone ... who knows maybe I'll have dispersed the quilts before then? In the meantime working on them gives me great joy, and a tremendous release from life about me ... or life not about me, whichever way I see it at the time.

Whatever you do ... please don't go poof on us! We enjoy your being with us all too much! And please remember, that even if you don't continue to do the PC blocks, you can still hang out with us ... we need all the support, encouragement and guidance we can get as we go along this dusty ol' trail!