R. R. 2, Brandon, Wisconsin 53919.
Somehow, when winter shuts us in we can settle down to a
comfortable and relaxing routine if we don’t fight the
confinement too strongly.
Last week I met several people who have learned to make
something absorbing and worthwhile out of their hobbies. The
wonderful part of it is that husband and wife teams are sharing
these interests.
First I want to introduce an 84 year old lady from Aurora,
Illinois. Winnie Baumez was the Queen of the Steam Show held on the
George Hedtke farm near Davis Junction, Illinois. She formerly
played the piano in theaters in the days of silent movies.
Can’t you just hear that exciting music as the horses thundered
across the plains? She was frisking about in a simple dress and
white sweater when we arrived; still very pert at 84. Winnie’s
husband, Herman, was busy weaving baskets of reed which he acquires
from a source in Connecticut. These are trimmed with wooden beads
from Hong Kong.
Mr. Baumez learned his trade as a young man in Germany and has
been weaving ever since. Formerly he used willow branches, but now
sticks with reed. The cradles for dolls were most charming (in
various sizes) and any grandma among you might want to contact him
for an unusual Christmas gift for that special little granddaughter
on your list. They reside at R. R. #3, Box 342, Jericho Road,
Aurora, Illinois 60504. He gave me his card so I am sure he is
eager to sell.
Wayne and Ruth Geeting (Grandpa and Grandma Happy) have filled
their last six years with learning as much as they can about
spinning and dyeing yarn with natural dyes. This couple lives at
Route 1, Sterling, Illinois 61081. They are much in demand for
demonstrations in schools, women’s clubs, mother-daughter
banquets, etc.
The Geetings raise their own Black Karakul sheep for wool, also
white sheep and Angora rabbits They have broom corn, flax, and
cotton growing there as well. There were two pieces she had on
display which were of special interest. One was a small mat made of
the hair from their daughter’s dog. And she also showed me a
handful of hair from a buffalo. It looked rather messy to me.
The plants used in the dyeing process varied from thistles to
coffee, tea to walnut hulls, mullein to pokeberries, marigolds to
dandelions. She said wool can be dipped in water brought to the
boiling point if the rinses are maintained at the same
temperature.
Something more I learned was how hand spindles were used for
spinning before the wheel was invented. She showed me the
procedure. They had researched back into the family history for six
generations to find an actual spinner. So they are most pleased
with their accomplishment and well they might be.
I also learned that Leonardo de Vinci invented one type of
spinning wheel. She had one of these plus a walking wheel where you
had to stand on your feet and walk to spin, and one imported from
the Orient, I believe. The couple also have their own cows churning
butter, and making cottage cheese of the skim milk.
Across the way from the spinners a lady was working on a most
unusual hobby. She is Gen Wolf of R. 3, Aurora, Illinois. She was
seated before a 2 harness loom making attractive rugs from plastic
bread wrappers. I think my mouth fell way open about then. They
were so attractive, and she had on display a small blue and white
rug which she had used in her bathroom for four years. It looked
almost new. Local school cafeterias, restaurants and neighbors,
supply her with the material. (After trying to poke my fingers
through much plastic in opening packages I will vouch for their
durability.) And they had a bright satiny sheen as well.
So it would seem that among the old, revived, and among the new,
utilized, perhaps we may find the ‘plain proximity’ I
mentioned in the poem.
On Sunday morning we heard an outstanding message as we sat
among a small group of worshippers under the trees and open sky.
One well presented incident will stay with me for life.
Back in the thirteenth century one poet and theologian, Thomas
Aquinas, went to visit Pope Innocent II and found him counting the
money belonging to the church. Innocent II commented that ‘No
more can it be said of the church ‘Silver and gold have I
none’.’ To which Aquinas replied, ‘Very true, Holy
Father, but neither can it say ‘Rise up and walk’.
‘ The sun came through the clouds as we were worshipping in
this beautiful setting of a circle of trees, interspersed with many
majestic loners to shade us. Our crude benches, backless and not
too comfortable became part of a Holy place as Paster B.
Powell’s message on ‘God Can Change What Men Cannot
Change’ unfolded before us. He read Acts 3:1-10 about the
crippled beggar. He pointed out that this beggar received ‘for
his lameness leaping’ and ‘for his almspraise.’ He left
us with the thought that ‘Our obedience has to be faster than
the speed of our doubt.’
‘Hello,’ all you good people I met at Hedtke’s
Reunion. I didn’t find space for you all.
A thrust of change embroiders air To frosty edges, and despair
Of how we’ll meet our heating bills Plus gasoline, and added
frills May push us into lesser space Before next Spring can show
her face. But, give us, Lord the sense to see We’ll thrive on
plain proximity.
