Reprint from Have you any Wool? Reflections on the fiber life
Donna Germany
Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild
In 2002, I had the opportunity to join the Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild, located 95 miles north of Natchez, Miss. where I live. At that time, there were no fiber related operations or, for that matter, any fiber craft historians offering demonstrations of this art in Natchez.
This guild offered stability in a fiber arts club that Natchez could not. Fellow guild members are pro-active in training and creating an interest about fiber-related artwork that I so desperately craved. These guild members wanted to pass down their knowledge to the next generation.
My paternal grandmother tried to teach me how to knit at an early age. My mother tried to teach me to crochet. However, my interest was always in how the yarn came to be. Where did it come from? Their pat answer was “the store.” I knew better.
As a young child, I was fascinated by the story of Rumplestiltskin. My childhood friends and I would act out the scenes for anyone we could gather. Turning straw into gold with a spinning wheel was wonderment. The story of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Wild Swans, where the beautiful sister had to pick, spin, and weave the garments for her brothers, taught me how garments were created. I wanted to be ale to do such things. However, other things sidetracked the dreams of young children sometimes.
It was not until my late 30’s that I returned to my fascination of fiber arts. I began really applying my desire to learn to knit and crochet into everyday life. During my first Roc Day experience, I tried the spinning wheel at all the vendors. I touched and felt all the wonderful fiber and gadgets. This was where I purchased a used 24-inch Ashford loom.
I began my first 10-week weaving class, offered by Marci Petrini. Then I wanted another. The rhythm of the beater bar against the fabric as it came into being was food for my soul.
I was able to rent a spinning wheel from the guild and try my hand at spinning. The peaceful rhythmic movements of the spinning wheel were exactly what my overworked spirit was searching. I had come home.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Chad's Miracle
reprint from Mississippi Torch Vol 21- No.2-February 2008
By: Donna Germany
First Pentecostal Church
Rev. James Johnson, pastor
Reading the journal entries on his website brings tears to my eyes. The story reveals months of enduring horrible memories. The bleakness of what the doctors were saying made us hold to the Master’s hand with every breathe we took. A tragedy such as this will truly make you trust in God.
This a section of Tonia’s journal from the web site on December 31, 2006:
Does anyone want to hear my New Year’s resolution? Of course I have some of the same one’s every year…lose weight, eat right, pray more, read my Bible through. But this year I have a new one. It is to never take one normal moment with my husband for granted again. Things like going out to eat with my husband, holding his hand, having a conversation with him, sitting beside him in church, watching him shave, rushing around to get dressed in Sunday mornings, cooking for him, washing his clothes, hearing him pray, watching him study for a message, hearing him teach and preach and lead service, enduring his perfectionism on everything, hearing him say I love you, and seeing him smile. There are many things, but I think you get the point. There are so many little things I’ve missed all these months. I’m just thankful I have a second chance to appreciate them.
In September 2002, Chad developed symptoms of a brain tumor found on his brain stem. His doctor, Jack Moriarity, said it had taken years to grow because the brain had compensated for growth. In a six-hour operation, the tumor was removed and found to be a stage I tumor, non-cancerous. He recovered wonderfully. In a week, he was home, in a month he had returned to work.
In June 2005, all things looked perfect. Chad and Tonia were expecting their first child in February 2006, but in August there was a miscarriage. In September, Chad’s symptoms returned. Dr. Moriarity referred Chad to Dr. John Lancon, who specialized in a different surgical approach for brain stem tumors. After a four-hour surgery, a non-cancerous stage II tumor was found. Recovery was longer and more complicated. Because of the rapid growth of and changes in the MRIs, radiation was started in October with the understanding that chemotherapy might be needed. The threat of chemotherapy made starting a family even more important, but with one miscarriage behind them, it seemed impossible. Our God is a God of the impossible. Their next baby would be due in August.
On December16, 2006, Chad rang the bell of completion at Mississippi Hessemer Cancer Center Radiation Department. Chemotherapy would not be needed. Things looked good again.
In March 2006, Chad developed a common reaction to brain surgery; hydrocephalus and meningitis. He was hospitalized again. After several trips to the emergency room that month, a shunt for fluid drainage from his brain to his stomach was placed.
By April 2006, he was dizzy and weak, could not hold food down, and had a high fever. A micro bacterium was found. He started an antibiotic treatment. Between May and July, he was hospitalized for two weeks at a time. During the month of July he was in one emergency room while his wife was across town in another with premature labor pains. His son was born early at the end of July. Chad was there, but does not remember being at the delivery.
August found him with the same symptoms. His hospital stay lasted one hundred and twenty-four days. He was released after being in five of the eight Neuro-Intensive care unit rooms and a room on every wing of the sixth floor of St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. During this stay, he had an intravenous cocktail of seven antibiotics and various drugs. He also had several major brain surgeries and biopsies of his throat and stomach. He contacted hospital infections along with the micro bacteria he was battling. Chad suffered a ninety second brain seizure which left him with paralysis. The five doctors on his case had done all they knew. However, God was able to do “exceeding, abundantly, above all that we ask or think. St. Dominic put him on the miracle list when he was discharged.
Chad transferred to MMRC for rehabilitation from St Dominic on December 18,2006. He stayed until January 24, 2007. His insurance paid for thirty days a year in a rehabilitation center. Because the year changed, he was able to stay forty-four days. He had to learn everything again. The only thing he remembers about that time is the neurophysiologist on the case.
Since he has been home, he broke his left hip. Both eyebrows have scars from falls. He had two more brain seizures. The seizures itself is not dangerous but the effects can be. The victim can swallow his tongue, fall, break bones, become unconscious or worse. Chad has not had any of these happen. He had a shunt revision in April 2007. The seizures and shunt revisions will have to be endured the remained of his life.
Chad requires twenty four hour care but is improving on a daily basis. After much prayer, on October 7,2007, he walked without assistance around a section of pews at church. He is to start the Quest program that helps retrain brain injury patients to become independent. God is the master planner and knows all things. Thank you to all the family and friends who have helped meet their financial obligations.
Tight hugs from Chad will always be special. Through it all, Chad remembered his God and continues to praise and worship Him. At Mississippi Camp meeting 2007, Chad was amazed that so many remembered him, and that he remembered so many. Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to pray for this little family. He has made so much progress in the last few months but still has a ling way to go.
See all Chad’s story online at www.caringbridgge.org/visit/chadegermany
By: Donna Germany
First Pentecostal Church
Rev. James Johnson, pastor
Reading the journal entries on his website brings tears to my eyes. The story reveals months of enduring horrible memories. The bleakness of what the doctors were saying made us hold to the Master’s hand with every breathe we took. A tragedy such as this will truly make you trust in God.
This a section of Tonia’s journal from the web site on December 31, 2006:
Does anyone want to hear my New Year’s resolution? Of course I have some of the same one’s every year…lose weight, eat right, pray more, read my Bible through. But this year I have a new one. It is to never take one normal moment with my husband for granted again. Things like going out to eat with my husband, holding his hand, having a conversation with him, sitting beside him in church, watching him shave, rushing around to get dressed in Sunday mornings, cooking for him, washing his clothes, hearing him pray, watching him study for a message, hearing him teach and preach and lead service, enduring his perfectionism on everything, hearing him say I love you, and seeing him smile. There are many things, but I think you get the point. There are so many little things I’ve missed all these months. I’m just thankful I have a second chance to appreciate them.
In September 2002, Chad developed symptoms of a brain tumor found on his brain stem. His doctor, Jack Moriarity, said it had taken years to grow because the brain had compensated for growth. In a six-hour operation, the tumor was removed and found to be a stage I tumor, non-cancerous. He recovered wonderfully. In a week, he was home, in a month he had returned to work.
In June 2005, all things looked perfect. Chad and Tonia were expecting their first child in February 2006, but in August there was a miscarriage. In September, Chad’s symptoms returned. Dr. Moriarity referred Chad to Dr. John Lancon, who specialized in a different surgical approach for brain stem tumors. After a four-hour surgery, a non-cancerous stage II tumor was found. Recovery was longer and more complicated. Because of the rapid growth of and changes in the MRIs, radiation was started in October with the understanding that chemotherapy might be needed. The threat of chemotherapy made starting a family even more important, but with one miscarriage behind them, it seemed impossible. Our God is a God of the impossible. Their next baby would be due in August.
On December16, 2006, Chad rang the bell of completion at Mississippi Hessemer Cancer Center Radiation Department. Chemotherapy would not be needed. Things looked good again.
In March 2006, Chad developed a common reaction to brain surgery; hydrocephalus and meningitis. He was hospitalized again. After several trips to the emergency room that month, a shunt for fluid drainage from his brain to his stomach was placed.
By April 2006, he was dizzy and weak, could not hold food down, and had a high fever. A micro bacterium was found. He started an antibiotic treatment. Between May and July, he was hospitalized for two weeks at a time. During the month of July he was in one emergency room while his wife was across town in another with premature labor pains. His son was born early at the end of July. Chad was there, but does not remember being at the delivery.
August found him with the same symptoms. His hospital stay lasted one hundred and twenty-four days. He was released after being in five of the eight Neuro-Intensive care unit rooms and a room on every wing of the sixth floor of St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. During this stay, he had an intravenous cocktail of seven antibiotics and various drugs. He also had several major brain surgeries and biopsies of his throat and stomach. He contacted hospital infections along with the micro bacteria he was battling. Chad suffered a ninety second brain seizure which left him with paralysis. The five doctors on his case had done all they knew. However, God was able to do “exceeding, abundantly, above all that we ask or think. St. Dominic put him on the miracle list when he was discharged.
Chad transferred to MMRC for rehabilitation from St Dominic on December 18,2006. He stayed until January 24, 2007. His insurance paid for thirty days a year in a rehabilitation center. Because the year changed, he was able to stay forty-four days. He had to learn everything again. The only thing he remembers about that time is the neurophysiologist on the case.
Since he has been home, he broke his left hip. Both eyebrows have scars from falls. He had two more brain seizures. The seizures itself is not dangerous but the effects can be. The victim can swallow his tongue, fall, break bones, become unconscious or worse. Chad has not had any of these happen. He had a shunt revision in April 2007. The seizures and shunt revisions will have to be endured the remained of his life.
Chad requires twenty four hour care but is improving on a daily basis. After much prayer, on October 7,2007, he walked without assistance around a section of pews at church. He is to start the Quest program that helps retrain brain injury patients to become independent. God is the master planner and knows all things. Thank you to all the family and friends who have helped meet their financial obligations.
Tight hugs from Chad will always be special. Through it all, Chad remembered his God and continues to praise and worship Him. At Mississippi Camp meeting 2007, Chad was amazed that so many remembered him, and that he remembered so many. Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to pray for this little family. He has made so much progress in the last few months but still has a ling way to go.
See all Chad’s story online at www.caringbridgge.org/visit/chadegermany
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Fourth of July
Reprint from Mississippi Torch Vol 20-No. 7- July 2007
Donna Simmons Germany
First Pentecostal Church
Natchez, MS
Pastor Rev. James Johnson
Fireworks! Celebrating this holiday with a wonderful firework display is how we remember the day. The fourth of July has always been the longest day of the year, next to Christmas Eve of course, in anticipation of great things. Years ago, families would go to the local campgrounds and enjoy the heat of summer in a cool natural spring swimming hole. People from all area were doing the same.
As children, we swam, walked the nature trail, or played in the park area. Parents secured the picnic table and prepared the food. Finding a picnic table close enough to the cool creek that fed the swimming area was a priority. The coolness of the creek cooled the watermelon. Eating hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, baked beans, fresh roasted corn n the cob, spring cooled watermelon and many other delightful goodies was an all day long feast.
After all the children’s energy was gone, the last event of the day was the fireworks. Only when darkness came would the fireworks begin. The beauty of a black sky and small colorful specks igniting, changing shapes and colors was awe inspiring. Childlike wonderment always seeks the source of the pops and crackles. However, with apprehension of missing the beautiful display of lights, eyes were always looking up. This was spectacular!
As years go by those children become adults. New traditions evolve. Family members and friends change through the years. Some things remain the same like all day cooking out on grills. The chore of seeing that food is prepared and ready for hungry bodies that have an appetite will never cease. By the end of the day when the sun is gone from the sky, there will always be a display of fireworks as we celebrate Independence Day.
While living in Jackson, the reservoir always put on a display of fireworks over the water. The blackness of the area added to the grandness of the event. The double reflection of the fireworks on the water was awesome.
Now, living in Natchez the fireworks are ignited on barges in the Mississippi River. Both sides of the river can be utilized for the wonder and beauty of the pops and crackles that form brilliant lights in the sky. The gathering together of townspeople makes on reminisce about the picninc on the grounds with relay races, three legged race, softball and all the fun that comes when people gather together. But you don’t need to be on the banks of the river to take advantage of this firework display. The display can be seen from anywhere downtown. It does not start until the last ray of sunlight is gone from the sky and darkness is all around.
Today, we look at the wonder, glory and beauty of fireworks over the darkness of the night and see them as another event to entertain. It also brings to mind the rockets red blare and bombs bursting in air, the war, and the song produced.
During the war of 1812, Americans celebrated minor triumphs. In terms of material and money, the cost can not be calculated with accuracy because record keeping was not a priority. Support started to fall away after the Burning of Washington D.C. The American public became disillusioned by the war. Still, three soldiers, William Henry Harrison, Andrew Jackson, and Zachary Taylor become president.
Historians have stated the War of 1812 should have never been fought. It was motivated by merchants and greed. It had little to do with patriotism and national pride. The United States gained nothing in territory. The remarkable event of this war was that a young Georgetown lawyer pinned the immortal words of a poem. That poem written in 1813 became our country’s national anthem on March 3, 1931.
During his imprisonment, Francis Scoot Key watched from the bow of a ship that was behind the British warships. He must have had feelings of anticipation during the twenty-five hour bombardment. It started at 7 a.m. on September 13,1813. Surely he thought the battle was lost. Through the rain, bombs, rockets and cannon balls, the thirty by forty foot American Flag flew over the star shaped fort. The death of four brave men and twenty-four wounded were the human causalities the fort sustained that night.
Dawn came and he saw the flag still flying over Fort McHenry, What we feel today at our local fireworks show on Independence Day could not compare to the American pride Francis Scott Key felt while he penned the famous poem on the back of an envelope while sailing back into the harbor the morning after the bombardment. The words of his poem, The Defense of Fort McHenry, later became known as The Star Spangled Banner. Often the words we should remember are the words not always sung. The last stanza of that poem has these words:
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the pow’r that hath made and preserved us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
If you have the opportunity this Fourth of July, be part of an Independence Day celebration. Reflect on the peacefulness that comes from being a part of this great country. As you watch the patriotic event and hear The Star Spangled Banner, remember those who have established the cornerstones of this democracy. Never forget all the lives that have been lost to insure our way of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Know that it is in God we trust!
Donna Simmons Germany
First Pentecostal Church
Natchez, MS
Pastor Rev. James Johnson
Fireworks! Celebrating this holiday with a wonderful firework display is how we remember the day. The fourth of July has always been the longest day of the year, next to Christmas Eve of course, in anticipation of great things. Years ago, families would go to the local campgrounds and enjoy the heat of summer in a cool natural spring swimming hole. People from all area were doing the same.
As children, we swam, walked the nature trail, or played in the park area. Parents secured the picnic table and prepared the food. Finding a picnic table close enough to the cool creek that fed the swimming area was a priority. The coolness of the creek cooled the watermelon. Eating hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, baked beans, fresh roasted corn n the cob, spring cooled watermelon and many other delightful goodies was an all day long feast.
After all the children’s energy was gone, the last event of the day was the fireworks. Only when darkness came would the fireworks begin. The beauty of a black sky and small colorful specks igniting, changing shapes and colors was awe inspiring. Childlike wonderment always seeks the source of the pops and crackles. However, with apprehension of missing the beautiful display of lights, eyes were always looking up. This was spectacular!
As years go by those children become adults. New traditions evolve. Family members and friends change through the years. Some things remain the same like all day cooking out on grills. The chore of seeing that food is prepared and ready for hungry bodies that have an appetite will never cease. By the end of the day when the sun is gone from the sky, there will always be a display of fireworks as we celebrate Independence Day.
While living in Jackson, the reservoir always put on a display of fireworks over the water. The blackness of the area added to the grandness of the event. The double reflection of the fireworks on the water was awesome.
Now, living in Natchez the fireworks are ignited on barges in the Mississippi River. Both sides of the river can be utilized for the wonder and beauty of the pops and crackles that form brilliant lights in the sky. The gathering together of townspeople makes on reminisce about the picninc on the grounds with relay races, three legged race, softball and all the fun that comes when people gather together. But you don’t need to be on the banks of the river to take advantage of this firework display. The display can be seen from anywhere downtown. It does not start until the last ray of sunlight is gone from the sky and darkness is all around.
Today, we look at the wonder, glory and beauty of fireworks over the darkness of the night and see them as another event to entertain. It also brings to mind the rockets red blare and bombs bursting in air, the war, and the song produced.
During the war of 1812, Americans celebrated minor triumphs. In terms of material and money, the cost can not be calculated with accuracy because record keeping was not a priority. Support started to fall away after the Burning of Washington D.C. The American public became disillusioned by the war. Still, three soldiers, William Henry Harrison, Andrew Jackson, and Zachary Taylor become president.
Historians have stated the War of 1812 should have never been fought. It was motivated by merchants and greed. It had little to do with patriotism and national pride. The United States gained nothing in territory. The remarkable event of this war was that a young Georgetown lawyer pinned the immortal words of a poem. That poem written in 1813 became our country’s national anthem on March 3, 1931.
During his imprisonment, Francis Scoot Key watched from the bow of a ship that was behind the British warships. He must have had feelings of anticipation during the twenty-five hour bombardment. It started at 7 a.m. on September 13,1813. Surely he thought the battle was lost. Through the rain, bombs, rockets and cannon balls, the thirty by forty foot American Flag flew over the star shaped fort. The death of four brave men and twenty-four wounded were the human causalities the fort sustained that night.
Dawn came and he saw the flag still flying over Fort McHenry, What we feel today at our local fireworks show on Independence Day could not compare to the American pride Francis Scott Key felt while he penned the famous poem on the back of an envelope while sailing back into the harbor the morning after the bombardment. The words of his poem, The Defense of Fort McHenry, later became known as The Star Spangled Banner. Often the words we should remember are the words not always sung. The last stanza of that poem has these words:
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the pow’r that hath made and preserved us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
If you have the opportunity this Fourth of July, be part of an Independence Day celebration. Reflect on the peacefulness that comes from being a part of this great country. As you watch the patriotic event and hear The Star Spangled Banner, remember those who have established the cornerstones of this democracy. Never forget all the lives that have been lost to insure our way of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Know that it is in God we trust!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)