The Stitching Weaver

Tornadoes

On March 18th, 1925 a tornado went through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. There were almost 700 people killed, thousands injured and so many homes and businesses lost. It was the first time my grandmother lost her home. She was 16 and just had her first baby. Since she was still in bed they didn't want to move her. Her husband and her brother came to sit with her. When the tornado hit the wall came down on them. She was sitting at the window so the window crashed over her and she was okay. My grandfather's back was broken. 

This happened in Desota, Illinois. It was always amazing to me that I didn't know anything about it till I was faced with my own experience of a tornado. I had grown up hearing stories of her life. My grandmother said that she didn't want to scare me. 

Grandma told many stories after that about the people in the town. Her sister was at school and the building fell into the basement and crushed many children. Her sister survived but was horribly bruised from the bricks. Grandma was put on a cattle car and taken to the next town to the hospital. Grandpa was laid out to die. They finally put him on a train when they were able.. he lived till he was in his 70's with a back that didn't straighten up. 

Seeing the devastation in Joplin, Missouri brings back so much but mostly it gives me the pictures of what Desota must have looked like. 

Grandma lost her house two more times but they were by fire. She started over each time with nothing to call her own. I can't even imagine how hard it must have been. 

You can read about this tornado by googling 1925 tornado.

Just keep thinking of her today...

Finished Black Hearts

Okay Grace.. this is it. I finally got to finish the hearts. I put a backing of more linen on it and was surprised how much better it looked with the black frame. It really brought out an intensity to the colors.

When you look at the picture you see all the things that are a little crooked. I guess I like crooked. I don't want it to look like a prim and proper square. 

You can see where the fabrics were worn.. these are pants that were worn so much the crotch wore out.  I look at it and remember how many times I ironed them so they could travel to Africa. That is where they went ... business trips to Africa on the woman I live with.

Jude always refers to her partner as the man.. I think I will call mine the doctor. 

SO the doctor goes and does research in Africa and wears linen pants and shirts. I am lucky to have the soft fabrics to stitch on. They are so soft and worn.

I sent a little heart to Herm. It was the mosaic one that is here on the blog. I am sending her daily thoughts that might be called prayers in another mind. To me they are love which I think is what prayer is. I don't send it for her to get well but to be surrounded with love. I imagine that with all the hearts sent, she is living in a room with hearts and love surrounding her on every side.

 

If you read my blog, you know that I lost a dear friend in December. Margaret was 90 when she died and I think she was the wisest woman I have ever known. She always used the same words when she thought of someone who might need something..

Bless her, bless her, bless her. 

So I send blessings to Herm.