Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton

Hi Dear Folk,

A book review of Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton.  I was wandering around Persephone Books and thought I saw her name mentioned there, but can't find it now.  In any case I ordered this book Guard Your Daughters, by Diana Tutton and it came all the way up from the University of Alabama, early edition, 1953 Chatto and Windus London.

The story is set in the early 1950s and centres around a family, the Harvey's, dad a crime writer, mum and five daughters.  Pandora the eldest who is married, Thisbe, Morgan, Cressida and Teresa.  Morgan is the narrator.

"Nice, aren't they?"  said Thisbe casually.  "Mother chose them all except Teresa, and by then she'd got tired, so Father had a go.  That's why Teresa has such a common name." 

None of the girls have had a formal education and all learn at home what appeals to them, Thisbe poetry and Morgan music, Cressida the garden and little Teresa just reading what comes her way.  They all take it in turns to cook and there is a daily who cleans.  Mother is quite often indisposed and almost always receives breakfast in bed on a tray.

Their quest is to meet people and to be more specific, young men.  This is quite hard as they virtually never go anywhere special.  All are pinning their hopes on a trip to visit Pandora who now lives in London with her husband and if only mum will let them go.

The opening chapter is of a chance meeting with a young man, Gregory, who broke down in front of their house and is just about waylaid to come in for tea.  Every body scooting about taking the drying stockings off the mantel piece and figuring out what they're actually going to eat.

An interesting reference to Nazi Germany, was Belsen taken so glibly in the early fifties?

I stopped at the gate.  "Let's go in and say Mrs. Fletcher's been arrested and carted off for interrogation."
"Oh no, Morgan.  You can't joke about that."
"Why not?"
"Because it's real.  It truly happens."
"Everyone jokes about Belsen now."

Pandora thinks that Teresa should attend school.

Then father came down suddenly to facts.  "As it happens,," he said, "I think myself that it would be an advantage to Teresa to go to school.  I've though it for a long time, and I thought it of all of you big ones too, in your time.  But I ask you Pandora, how you could possibly persist in urging such a thing when you saw how the mere suggestion was upsetting your Mother?  You know - you've known for years - what very serious consequences might come of an upset to her.  You know what Doctor Gerard has said about her."

In reference to Gregory.

"But," said Father, "his effect on our household will be far from harmless if he comes here again, staying till all hours and making you behave like a lot of giggling misses.  I will not have Mother upset by such nonsense, do you understand?  You're not to invite him again."

Morgan, after a walk with her mother thinks.

Oh, darling Mother!  If only I could have come near to her, could have understood her sorrowful isolation and relieved it with my love.

Their mother was bought up in the very house they live in by her aunt Agnes and uncle Gregory.  Her aunt has since died, but uncle Gregory still owns his wife's family house and they rent it off him.  Every so often he comes for a visit.

In reference to their mother Grace.

She had been unusually active during Uncle Gregory's visit, for he never seemed to realize that she needed special care, and I think pride kept her up and about.  But as he himself breakfasted in bed she could do so too, taking care to be down before him.

The older Miss Harvey's have been invited by Lady Malfrey to a cocktail party.

"Oh Lord, I suppose we'll have to refuse, then."  Thisbe didn't sound at all resigned, but at least she wasn't going to make trouble.  Cressida, however, still facing the wall, and presumably still crying, said again.  "It isn't fair!  Mother, you're not fair to us!" .... 

"Grace my dear, what is all the commotion about?"

..... "Oh, Gregory, don't you worry your head about it."  Mother smiled a forced smile.  "We can easily discuss it some other time."
"But that's a very fine house.  Good old family, too- he's the eighth peer, you know.  Why can't they go?"
I waited for Mother to mention Patrick, but she only said:  "I'd rather not go into my reasons now, Gregory.  Have you got everything, do you think?"
"Grace," said Uncle Gregory.  "I don't know what Agnes would say if she could see you shutting the girls up like this.  How are they ever going to find husbands for themselves?"
Mother clutched desperately at the banisters, and I went and took her other arm.  She said:  "I don't want - I'm never happy unless- oh, Gregory, it's so safe here!"

Are you beginning to catch the thread of this story, tied in with the title?

"I'm not sure.  The Wide World does seem to upset our concepts a bit when we go out into it.  Rat was probably wise when he advised Mole to let it alone and never refer to it again.  Look at Pandora!  Even she seems a bit worried about our little idiosyncrasies.  But, of course Cressida's method isn't the right one.  There's only one possible way to improve our lot."
"And that? "  I asked with misgiving.
"Rebellion."

Grace has to take the train to another town to visit the dentist.

"No, that's what she said.  Only a stopping."  Father looked at the clock.  "Eleven now, " he counted his fingers.  "She should be back in about eight hours.  You'll have a good supper ready for her, won't you?"  Thisbe nodded.  "And a hot bottle in her bed?"
"I'll do that , Father."
"Good girl, Morgan.  As a matter of fact,"  said Father restlessly, "I think I'll light her fire after tea, in case she catches the early train."

Stopping must be a tooth filling, have not heard that terminology before.

Patrick a journalist and aspiring writer a relative of the Malfrey's visits with their father the mystery writer, while mother is out.  Thoughts on guessing the murderer.  American mysteries verses British.

"You mean the names-?" said Thisbe.
"Of course I mean the names.  Mind you," said Father, "you can't do it with an American book where all the people are called Cary and Beverley and Temperance.  But in a book like this, where most people are Penelope and Jane and Tom and Charles, anyone called Norman or Sidney is bound to be suspect."

Father waited for two trains and then brought Mother back, large -eyed from fatigue and shrunken in her big fur coat.  He took her straight up to her fire-lit bedroom, and Cressida rushed to pour out the soup that was simmering in the oven. ..... Cressida laughed loudly and began to regiment everything on the dressing-table, until Mother almost shrieked at her to stop.  Then she left the room, in tears, and Mother pressed her lovely worn hands over her eyes and said:  "Oh, Tom!  Can't I have a little peace?  I am so tired!"  And Father bundled us all out of the room.

This is a warm, delightful, family story.  I will not go further and spoil the ending for you.  But if you want a quick light read set in the fifties to draw on all the nostalgia of that era then this is a great read.

Christy

Victorian Tea at the Cairnwood Estate

Hi Dear Folk,

These last two weeks have whizzed by and I forgot to mention that we bought tickets to a Victorian Tea, hosted by WHYY which is our local Public TV Station.  It was an hour previewing of the to be released show Victoria, a Master Piece Theater production about the life of Queen Victoria.  It was held at Cairnwood, the house previously owned by the Pitcairn family, along with Tea.

For some reason I envisioned a sit down tea at tables, but is was only a buffet tea, cheese and wine.  Still very nice and the setting is lovely.  In fact Rob said he filmed a wedding held here at the estate in Bryn Athyn, we do have some very Welsh town names in this area.

You could also take a tour of the house and look at some of the family clothes on display.

We were encouraged to dress in Victorian attire.  I accomplished what I called a curtsy to this, as I own nothing that could be called Victorian looking.  So took a long black velvet dress, with a choker necklace and earrings.  It's fun to dress up and it seems we do so much less of this now than in my parents era.  I bought two necklaces with the thought of taking one back, one was much more of a choker and my favourite, but when I got it home, it was missing one dangle, disappointing, so went for this set.  I think that either one was probably equally fitting for this outfit.  Although I found much larger and stunning earrings to go with the necklace I wore.  In fact the other choker I would have taken earrings out of my collection to wear with it as there were none in the shop that matched.  T. J. Maxx is great for jewelry at an affordable price.

Circa 1920's Ivory Silk Peau de Soie, Silk Chiffon Trim, Sterling Silver Belt Evening Gown with Silk Cut Velvet Robe and Ermine Fur Trim.  H. Odhner Edelmann Gowns and Hats, Paris - New York.

This evening ensemble includes an alternative robe of ivory and gold for different occasions.  The heavy silk peau de soie sewn in full length vertical pleats provides contrast to the airy and dramatic robe.  Tiny snaps affix the robe to the dress, ensuring correct placement.

The silver belt depiects romanti-style female heads surrounded by acanthus foliage.  Because it is sewn to the gown, the makers marks are not visible.

I saw these very similar sleeves on another blue velvet gown and thought they were lovely.  I hear velvet is back in again this winter.  I remember how popular it was in the seventies.  My sister used to work in Barretts Clothes Shop in Bishop's Stortford, that sold some very nice lines of clothes, in fact BB used to travel up to London and buy for the ladies department.  In any-case she bought me a lovely deep blue velvet suit, which I got engaged in. I wore that suit quite a bit. I think they went out of business some time in the eighties or nineties.

Outside Cairnwood at night.

My mum knitted me those gloves, so it was lovely to wear them and just right as I needed long gloves with this cape and outfit.

Christy

Time To Make The Donuts

Hi Dear Folk,

Do you remember that old advert?  "Time to make the Donuts," put on by Dunkin Donuts.  Well it was my boss who mentioned that old ad, as to how he felt about our first full week here in the new office.  When you leave the house at 7:50AM and get home at 6:50PM and even later if you walk home from the station as I did several times, then you almost see yourself walking into the office as you come out.

The last couple of times I have actually made it through Suburban Station without getting turned around.  You have to find this doorway which enters right into our building from the transit system, I think I'm OK now.  What turned me around a couple of times is that I enter on Track 4, but leave on Track 1.  It's probably an entire city block under there, and in some parts quite deco, which I love, the old ticket office area has a brass foot rail, but it's wider than that so I wonder if it was to sit your luggage on as you got your ticket.  The deco lights are pretty interesting too, as is the outside front at the bottom of a sky scraper building.

Yesterday I found out that Trader Joe's is just 0.6 miles away, so walked there in my lunch hour.  Found chocolate chip waffles for Mr. B. and restrained myself from buying all the goodies one could, such as cheddar cheese from the Isle of Aran, and that exotic different country chocolate bars they always bring out at this time of year.  But at least I know now that I can buy my favorite bread.  As we have no Trader Joe's near us and would be a special trip.

May I windge, I just want a little windge, things you must learn while traveling on the train.  Do not sit near the escape windows as you can hardly see through the glass.  The older carriages have a ledge you can rest your feet on the newer carriages don't.  Positively do not sit near the doors at the end of the corridor as these open out right onto the elements and when they are opened every ten minutes for about ten stations, you just about freeze your little tootsies off.  I positively froze last night and had to crank the heat up in the house and sit with a hot water bottle just to warm up.

The positive about a train is that you just sit there and can read, or watch people, or doze, and on the way home I cannot miss my station as my stop is the end of the line.

I would like to ask a question has SEPTA ever been to Europe and looked at their train carriages? I travelled in more comfortable carriages as a teenager, when I used to take the train to High School as a kid.

My office does have a good view of City Hall an iconic building and I did post a couple of pics on Instagram.  What I like about being higher up 10th floor is that I have a wonderful view of the changing sky, fortunately it's not blocked out by sky scrapers.  Yesterday the sun was setting and reflecting off a near by skyscraper on all the windows, giving a unique glow to the tableau.

The nights I walked home which is a mile all up hill, I said to myself this is good for me, toughens the body and character, stiff upper lip.  One street they recently redid so has all new street lights and the pavement is even, you have no idea how important this is when you walk home in the dark, pulling a bag on wheels, which if it hits a ridge is wrenched out of your hand.  Yes is an eye opening different experience.

Christy

Classic Cartoon British Recipes

Hi Dear Folk,

I ran across these on the Persephone Blog and thought they were rather fun, all very classic Brit recipes.

Bread and butter pudding was always a staple fall back in the cupboard to come at.

And what High Tea did my mum not serve an English Trifle, never, it was always on the menu.

We always called this Plum Pudding.

Can't say cheesecake was part of my childhood.  My first memory of cheesecake, from which I still have the receipt, coffee and cheesecake eaten with my friend Jutta at a hotel on the banks of the Rhine.

Miss my mum's cooking.

Christy

Lattice Lace Wrap, Isle of Skye

Hi Dear Folk,

Working on my Lattice Lace Wrap, I love this yarn and it casts my mind back to a morning climbing over the rocks on the Isle of Skye near to Dunvegan Castle.  I found these photos of the Isle of Skye to share the colour on the rocks with you.

You can just see Dunvegan Castle in the background.

Christy

The Joys of Working in Philly

Hi Dear Folk,

Where to start?

First of all Blogger has a different behind the scenes face, which they've had for a while, but I just realized that I had a bunch of comments pending "Awaiting Moderation," because you are actually not notified that there is anything there now.  On a plus it now seems easier to follow and unfollow Blogs.  So many people I used to follow just don't post anymore, so a clean up has started, but needs further diligence.

Where to start on my crazy work week of moving the office to Philly.  I can honestly say that I am totally exhausted.  The actual move was on Thursday, but we went to our old office first, directed the movers, then drove by car to the new office, driving round the block several times looking for a parking space.

It was my first time down there and we do have an office with a view, a view of Philadelphia City Hall with William Penn on top, from a tenth floor window.  And it's a much more upscale office complex, with keys to get in and a front desk concierge, and even a key for the bathroom, so more upscale.

We were there to 7:00PM.  I always think cities seem to come to life at night with all the lights, and so many more this time of year.  We watched the rush hour traffic, drive around City Hall.  My boss and I caught the train back to our old office.  You walk down steps in the building right into the transit system, which is going to take me a while to figure out where I'm going, it's a labyrinth, of shops and corridors and street musicians and a cacophony of noise.  So on Thursday, I did not get back home until 8:15PM.

Friday was my first day on my own.  Mr. B. dropped me off at our local train station, at 7:55AM, in fact there are three places in town that I can pick it up, E Street, M Street and the Transportation Center.  If I was late Mr. B. could run me over to the TC, because it takes 15 minutes to get from one to the other.  The train left at 8:06AM on time and I arrived at 8:55AM on time.  My start time always was 8:30AM, so now I don't get there until 9:05AM and therefore have to work until 5:35PM.  I used to get home at 5:30PM and now I don't get home until 7:30PM, a whopping two extra hours per day, need I say more.

As nobody can pick me up from the train station I have to walk home and that is a 30 minute walk, all up hill.  All the way home I'm telling myself this is good for me, I need to walk more.  You never notice how few street lights there are or how many cracks there are in the sidewalks, until you have to walk home in the dark, pulling a bag on wheels.

I am hoping that SEPTA isn't discriminatory putting the newer carriages on a more affluent lines IE the one my boss travels on, as opposed to the older carriages on less affluent lines the one I travel on and we all pay the same money for a pass.  I was so tired coming home last night after unpacking boxes all day and cleaning and setting up my desk, and here I'm sitting on a sloping seat which I had to keep pushing myself on, so as not to slip off, a most uncomfortable ride.  I asked my son had he ever travelled down to Philly in the newer carriages and he said no.  I will hold my judgement, but I will say something to SEPTA if it proves to be so, not that it will do any good.  Our line pretty much follows the Schuylkill River down to Philly, so makes for some nice views.

On the positive side, this is an office with a view, and we had a lot of laughs over crazy things that happened, the funniest thing being a young man who took a look through the glass entrance doors to our new office and saw me lying flat out on the carpet in a totally empty office, the next thing I know an older lady, stopped by with him and said are you meant to be here?  And I said yes, and she said we thought something was wrong, holding her hand over her heart and she herself looked like she could have a heart attack any moment. Well Andrew the young IT guy, who comes from Zimbabwe and I couldn't stop laughing, because I think the other young man thought I was dead.  You know like an Agatha Christie Mystery, "Old Lady Found Dead in Empty Office."

I even took my camera down yesterday, but was so busy, totally forgot to take any, but will do so.  I am looking forward to lunch time forays.

Christy

SEPTA Trailpass and the Philly Gig

Hi Dear Folk,

Today is the day I start to use my Trailpass.  The name is totally misleading because it's a train pass, costs $163.00 dollars per month and I'm not sure what it covers other than the train ride to Philly which is about 20 miles.  Now if I were to think of working until I'm 65 I could ride the train at that point for $1.00 not sure if that's per day or each way, either way it's a lot less than this.  65 coincides in the USA to when one is eligible for Medicare, government health insurance, not that that's a free ride as you have to pay monthly supplements, but don't get me started on that.

Have been cleaning out at the office for over a month now, but this week has been some serious packing and I am so worn out.  Of course now the office has been whittled down from 14 to 4 one has to be Jack of All Trades.  I'm also looking forward to the additional city wage tax, it's all fun!

I will get to know Philly, which is so close, but so ignored, but isn't that always the way?  Right on your doorstep and you don't go.  Since I'll be down there every day, I'll see what an hour's lunch break enables you to do.  Of course the thought of waiting on winter platforms does not enamor the commute and at least an extra hour per day travel time.

Moving on, here is one sock that I finished, which has been my own design, so I'm pretty chuffed with it.  A cable crochet stitch for the top and around the leg with, hdc and sc for the underneath and heel.  The sock is worked in a spiral, as is the heel.

Now to crochet the mate.  Next time I make a pair I will make them a little smaller.

Here is a shawl I have been working on, the colour is called Peacock Feather.  It's a lattice stitch, which if I had not watched the You Tube video I would never have figured out from the pattern, but once you get the hang of it, I love the rhythm of the increasing and decreasing stitches throughout.

I admit to going out shopping on Black Friday, at least I didn't get shot.  From Joanne's some lovely mohair on clearance, the colour is gorgeous, and then 25% off.  I will also make another lattice wrap in this yarn, which seems to have no colour name, but to me the colour is like a photo I took along the Isle of Skye shoreline, of rocks covered in lichen and streaks of granite, it's earthy.  My husband said it reminded him of streaks of graphite.

Some beads 70% off.

The cowl and fingerless mitts are a gift I made for a friend.

Do you have a Clothes Mentor in your area?  They are a franchise. If you do you should pay them a visit. It's an upscale thrift shop, many items are brand new.  This Black Friday until noon they had 30% off.  I bought a lovely wool blend tweed bomber style, Mr. B. corrected me biker style jacket $9.00, with original price tags still on it and two skirts.

Here I am wearing it and one of the skirts.

Will keep you posted on Posting Philly.

Christy

Japaneses Straight Stitch Work on a Crazy Quilt

Hi Dear Folk,

It's been a contemplative quiet time off, grey skies, writing letters, listening to BBC Radio and crocheting.  I did get some jewelry drawers sorted out, which I had promised myself I would get to for a while.  I have all these lovely broaches, but always seem to be in too much of a rush to find the one I want, so now they are all laid out and that gave me room to lay out my earrings, and now with one quick look I can find what I want without routing through.  Yippee!

I do love patch work quilts, but I just like to quietly sit and hand sew, come at put it down, pick it up when the mood takes me, so something irregular without a pattern suits me, hence a crazy quilt.  Just uses up all those odd bits of fabric.

I like the rhythm of feather stitch.

Something that caught my eye in one of my needlework books was Japanese straight stitch, and on a crazy quilt if you want to add Japanese stitches you can.  I like the rippled affect it gives like the sand on the waters edge, rippled by the waves.

Christy

Madame Solario by Gladys Huntington - Persephone Books

Hi Dear Folk,

I've just finished reading Madame Solario, just republished by Persephone Books.   As I read it from the original American edition where the author does not give her name. First published August 1956 The Viking Press, Inc.

The book is written in three parts and I keep wanting to re-title it and call it Madame Solange, not sure why.  The first and third part from the view of Bernard Middleton a young English man and the second part from the point of view of Madame Solario's brother, Eugene Harden.  So our view of Natalia or Nelly as her brother calls her is filtered through the happenings and viewpoint of men, and because of this we are no closer at the end of the book than the beginning of knowing what Madame Solario actually thinks.

Part One

The year and setting is 1906 a fashionable hotel Cadenabbia on Lake Como, one can only envision this time period, the year my grandmother was born.  The grand hotel which has guests from all over for the season, both Europe and the States.  Women are elegant in tight waisted, busted gowns with swishing trains, brimmed hats and flowing chiffon veils and long gloves.

She wore a large white hat - what was called a "restaurant hat" - with a transparent brim and a huge pink rose in front, and the same kind of rose was fastened to the belt of her white lace dress.

Part One is very light and almost vaporous, Madame Solario, seems almost vapid, glides along in her fair beauty, things happen around her, but she seems to have no substance, with an entourage of admirers from the young Mr. Middleton to the Russian Count Kovanski.  Who is she where is she from?  Does it really matter? She is so beautiful and puts them in a state of euphoria. It's here I almost gave the book up, where was it leading?  The only clue you have is some overheard gossip about her family.  Here the stage is set.

Stillness was usual with her.  One had no clue to what she was thinking.

Young Mr. Bernard Middleton becomes quite close to Madame Solario.

"Don't go away without letting me know."
"I can promise you that!"
"And let me know also if there is anything disagreeable,"  she murmured, so vaguely that her words were like the ghosts of words.

He walked on air.

Part Two

In part two her brother Eugene Harden most unexpectedly turns up.

"Ah, the same address as Madame's," said the clerk, betraying a little surprise as he took back the book.

Though without a foreign accent.  Harden didn't seem quite like an Englishman. He was not, according to Colonel Ross's conceptions, either the right kind or the wrong kind of Englishman.  Not quite English, yet too English to be foreign - one couldn't tell, in short, where he belonged.

Brother and sister at dinner.

The obvious affinity that was there seemed to enhance the total effect;  because of it they were even more striking together than either would have been alone.   And the over-deliberate motions without practical result, the graceful attitudes and the soundless conversation, could have suggested a shadow-play, some highly polished form of evocative illusion.

Harden on fortune and future. Right from the beginning you know that her brother is the serpent in paradise. But then what does that reflect on her?

"Your chances," said Harden, speaking faster.  "And you may do much more brilliantly yet.  It wasn't very brilliant the first time.  Even with the walking reminder at your side you can do better!"  ..."I mean to share your future, as well as your fortune now."

In Nelly's, for that is what Eugene called her, bedroom at night, making plans for her future which is his future, and these plans are always changing.  He plans she listens, and just listens, and listens.  Hardly a reply given.

"Are we really here - up here - suspended in this lighted cage, just you and I?"

"... I was like Peter Schlemihl, the man without a shadow. ..."

History repeats itself, we see the same in society today.

"Those people" - and he made a movement of the head to the left, towards Cadenabbia - "they have the superiority of owing their good fortune to something they themselves had nothing to do with.  And that is the superiority I envy!  To be born with a sort of super-self, for that's what rank is, a super-self that planes over frontiers - to be born thinking one has the right to look down - Hasn't that got more charm than anything one can do for one's self?"

But as though the word had just come to his ear - "Grandmother!  Grandmother and Gossefors!  Why couldn't we have stayed there?  If only we had!  If we had, I wouldn't be talking as I do now.  We were looked up to there.  Grandmother was born Baroness Stjerneld.  We were the manor family.  - But doom might have come upon that too."

Count Kovanski.

Everyone is there but the Centaur - the Russian.  Nelly, you must tell me about him, for he loves you to madness!"

How close are brother and sister?

"... Nelly.  You can't look at me with the eyes of other people."  He turned to look into her eyes.  She let him do it.  "I am with myself when I am with you."

The first to see them was the American Wilbur, and they were so much the fashion that he was delighted to connect himself with them by hailing their appearance.
"Here are the Gemini!"

Eugene says, this paragraph very succinctly sums up their relationship.

"I plan nothing without thinking of you.  And wouldn't this suit you better?  I marry, you marry, and we are respectable instead of notorious!  Isn't there really more to be gained by being respectable?  You will say, Why decide everything now?  but I can see it didn't bring me luck in the past to drop what I had in hand because I thought that if one had one chance one was sure to have another.  I won't do it again.  If we marry we will be kept apart as we wouldn't be in my other plan, but - Who knows?  Anyhow , nothing with us will last for very long;  I feel it. ..."

Eugene and Nelly speaking about Count Kovanski.

"I told you before that you must marry.  And you have made it your fate to marry him.  You did that when you took him as a lover."

Part Three

Nelly, Madame Solario, tries to make a break from her brother by appealing to young Mr. Bernard  Middleton to accompany her by train to a Hotel in Florence to catch up with some old acquaintances an elderly gentlemen, Mr. Chase and a relative of his, Miss Armstrong.  Unfortunately they have already left.  After this things move very quickly to the conclusion.

"Yes,"  said Bernard after a moment.
"Is it a necessity?  Are you a relation?"
"No."
"But you have relations?"  The doctor, having impatiently looked him up and down, was now observing him, taking him in.  "You have a family somewhere?"
"Yes,"  said Bernard after another and longer pause.
The doctor seemed to come to a decision, and he first manifested his decision by putting his case under his arm and pulling on his gloves.  They were grey cotton gloves, and Bernard gazed at them as if fascinated.

"I don't know what your studies have been, but you may know that geologists speak of faults when they mean weaknesses in the crust of the earth that cause earthquakes and subsidence."  Having pulled on his gloves, he was energetically buttoning them.  "And I will tell you something out of my own experience.  There are people like 'faults,' who are a weakness in the fabric of society;  there is disturbance and disaster wherever they are."

He gave Bernard a fierce look beneath his bristling eyebrows.  "Young man, go away from here!  Get onto solid ground as soon as you can!"

This book is written in such a subtle way, that some sentences you have to read two or three times and ask yourself 'did or do I understand that?'

An interesting read.  Not quite my style.  But I can see that released as it was in the fifties with an anonymous author, and lots of talk as to whether this was autobiographical, led to quite a stir.

Christy

Five Tips to Solve Thread Tension Problems

Five Tips to Solve Thread Tension Problems

1. Use a brush to clean under the needle plate and in the bobbin case to remove any accumulated lint.  Oil if necessary. 

2. Replace your needle.  Even a new needle can be damaged.  (Recommended is a Topstitch needle for decorative stitching because of its sharp point and large eye)

3. Re-thread your machine

4. Re-set the bobbin, making sure the bobbin is turning in the direction the manufacturer recommends. 

5. Change your thread in the top and bobbin, so they are the same weight and composition, some like to use 40wt cotton for this step.  Make sure you have your thread spooled correctly.  Cross wound spools need to feed into your machine on your horizontal spool holder and parallel wound spools need to be mounted on your vertical spool holder with the thread unspooling from the back.

If these steps don't solve your tension problems, it's probably time for a tune-up at your local dealer.

I found this most helpful as I have several older sewing machines and some do not have a manual.  I hope you do too.

Christy

#20 Massachusetts State Quilt Square

Hi Dear Folk,

I was trying to precis my thoughts on Massachusetts.  For us to drive there is about four hours to the state line and five hours to Boston. My most vivid image of Massachusetts, well really of Cape Cod, the peninsular area, was on a very bright day flying back from England and I looked out of the plane window and there was Cape Cod below me, looking just like a laid out map.

The name Massachusetts can be segmented as "mass-adchu-s-et" where mass is 'large', adchh is 'hill', s is a diminutive suffix meaning 'small', and et is a locative suffix, identifying it as a 'place.'  Of course it's named after the indigenous people by the first Pilgrims and is considered part of the New England area.  So many names are from England.  In fact many of the original settlers came from the East Anglia area of England and this is reflected in the names, including Haverhill, where my sister lives in England, also Wethersfield where my mum grew up and there was an American Air Base there during WWII, and of course Boston.

My husband's family came over here in 1638, and the furthest his family have traveled west as settlers so to speak is us in Pennsylvania.  Most of the family still living in Vermont, after having settled for a while in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  I guess we just can't leave that North East Atlantic area.

I do like to think about what their life was like, remember the Mayflower only landed in 1620.  Were they around for King Philip's War, or the Boston Tea Party, or did they just get on with their lives, being farmers?

Well in any case here is the state quilt square for Massachusetts.

Christy

P.S. I unraveled those socks, you knew I would right?  If only I had known I would.