Elle Smith Fagan 12/25/22 Elle Smith Fagan 12/25/22

Restoration of Antique Nativity

The historic church's Nativity Scene was brought out to be set up for its fiftieth Christmas, but the group was very worn-looking and needed repair and restoration. Most Certainly! It was clear that the group was much loved by the people and so I just loved it, too. Later that year came the easy opening to ask Father if I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing from an injury. I had the interest and love and skills.

Find full photo gallery https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007

A Nativity Story

BACKGROUND: Around 2000, I came to live in Vernon Rockville, Connecticut, recuperating from injuries from an accident. Just when I thought my life and work would be downed, maybe permanently, new opportunities found me, like the task of restoring a beloved old collection of figures for the Creche, or manger scene, at a local church.

I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing - especially since I had the interest and love and skills. Father White mentioned that the creche had been there when he arrived but that he was retiring and could not take up the project himself. But the pastor who succeeded him, Father Rick Ricard, took up the project happily.

BEGIN THE TASK: We planned, researched the specifics of tech needs for old, early fiberglass; shopped for the supplies and got to work. Five minutes on the job and , everyone on the village park shoppes area knew of the project ! It was clear that the Old Nativity Figures were important to them. I was thrilled with the interest and said so. "It wouldn't be Christmas without that Creche", one said, " I am 55, and they were here as far back as I can remember." I felt much better supported in the work ahead.

BLESSING: The Old Convent Garage was my studio and 'Step One', of course, was assessment of the details of the task. I took "Before" photos of the group of figures, for reference and comparison later, and smiled when this "odd" exposure effect presented to me at upload. The image of this Glowing Infant figure was inspiring, as I set to work.

THE TASK DELIVERS AN EXCITING SURPRISE ! : Following the norm for the work of restoring fourteen life-sized figures involved: Research into Provenance, technical needs and update research for best materials/methods/process.
Inspection revealed incised ID numbers and letters and a name at the foot of the pedestals. And internet search was a revelation: the figures were designed by Dick Wiken, a world-class sculptor with many fine achievements to his credit, and the man who designed the head for the famous WPA Doll. Big Story!
I took the revelations to the church. What a delightful moment, and happy hum among us, like on the "Antiques Roadshow" program many of us never miss. Further investigation resulted in official respect for the restoration. It would take longer to do than I could afford to gift. And I was paid.

MORE REVELATIONS: The Community must have truly loved that group! After more than 50 years, all 14 figures were there and intact ! When the word got around about the restoration, a few men of the parish found me and they were jubilant: there had been a special care group for the figures. Over time, the numbers of the group dwindled and faded, but remained. One of the now-mature "apprentices" , was thrilled to find me to celebrate this restoration of spirit as well as figures.

PROCESS: The very old paint was pale and chipped and flaked, efforts to repair it in the past were not lasting. Most of the figures showed pitting - a natural dehydration effect with old fiberglass "Blo-molds". Many had cracks and the delicate Infant Jesus figure had lost a thumb; a toe and one arm had large holes in two places. At every step, this project was dripping with symbolism.

The lovely features would shine again - effects, and details in costumes and trimmings meant a fine and fancy finish to it all. "Planning my play" fixed an issue with thinner fumes; I would do all the related tasks, then open the fumey stuff, work fast , and close it up, then finish for the day.

I began with the Angel - so she could bless the project and keep an eye on me while I worked. The effects I was able to obtain were very encouraging. The infant's injuries wanted more attention. I sang and prayed and worked with a feeling of privilege, continuing on to the Statues of Mary and Joseph; the Shepherds and Wise Men; the Lambs and the good Donkey. The faithful animals were sentinels as worked.

Dirt and flaking were removed, and surfaces smoothed. The putty/filler repaired the cracks and the parish sexton did some wood restorations to the wooden support for the donkey and found an area heater when the weather cooled, and extra lights, when the days shortened. Then the primer coat to seal and protect was followed by the new paints for each figure and that, in turn, sealed and shined with clear topcoat. Completed well. And all in homage to the Holy Family who changed the world.

DONE AND TIME TO COME TO THE STABLE: Time to set up the Nativity Figures had arrived, and the last sweep with the paintbrush on the rosy cheek of the Infant Jesus figure! The men of the parish set up the life-sized lighted wooden stable, nestled in beds and stacks of hay.

Once again, the Angel was called on first - and her figure attached over the door of the stable to hover in exultation.

Donkey, lambs, shepherds, Magi, and finally Mary and Joseph completed the scene of waiting for the Coming of the Savior. The Infant figure would not be placed till near Christmas Eve. A photo of the creche I restored appeared, at the Saint Bernard Church website Home page, front and center at the 2007 Christmas season. There was also a note about the Restoration and the invitation to the parish to join the annual event of caroling and placing the Infant in the creche on Dec.22, 2007 after the 5pm Vigil Mass. In December, it was already evening at that time of day, and so lunaria were lit and placed for their glow along the path from church to site of the creche - all followed and gathered round and began the carols.

Then, Father Rick Ricard, pastor, brought the Infant figure from the rectory to the site, and presented it to a little boy and a little girl, who, together, placed the Infant in the manger. I sang to the Infant represented by that figure, often, with it in my lap, while at the work the past months, and this time, I was joined by quite a chorus and lead by our priests.

They say it was chilly out, but not at the Creche that night!

I was glad we had chosen the super-weatherproof paints used on fiberglass yachts - it was clear and cold, but, even if it was freezing rain, the glow of the figures would win through for many years. In fact, it glows naturally with an nearly-spooky photo-realistic effect - if the air gets very cold the skin tones change hue, just as though they were live. And then when it warms, the color returns to normal.

I was enjoying the pageant, at the back of the crowd - when Father called me up to the front of the group to recognize me, personally, and the work involved - I used to enjoy hearing the word "gratified" when others were in my place, and now that word was mine to say and feel. The moment was the kind of treasure nothing can mar.

All was merry and bright! Caroling continued and then a cheer followed by the invitation from Father to join the reception at the rectory, which proceeded to the church hall for refreshments and more chat, to make a special evening marking the completion and beginning of special things!

NEW! Latest book about the famous Sculptor features these figure molds, including the famous WPA Doll's head, and leading architectural sculptures.

Dick Wiken, Milwaukee Architectural Sculptor

FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF THE PROJECT AT https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007

Elle Smith Fagan 2/12/18 Elle Smith Fagan 2/12/18

Christmas Wedding

Recently, both our children chose wedding days at Christmas to honor their late Father and myself. And so I thought they might like this "part one" of THE story of how we met and married. It was all so grand to us, and a gift of empowering love is their birthright! But that's another story. More will come.

After the ceremoney at St.Anthony Fairfield CT - at Frederick's Reception also in Fairfield, CT 12-17-66

December 17th 1966 - years of longing, and work and learning and more work and finding the moment of love forever born and winning through to this day!

At least for our children, long ago grown and living distantly with fine work and loves of their own I will share this "part one" of THE story of how we met and married. It was all so grand to us, and a gift of empowering love is their birthright!

But that's another story. More will come.

Our Christmas wedding turned out to be the Army's idea, and a lovely one! We were a 'love at first sight" pair - the happy result of long dreams and preparation and long prayed-for. We'd dated for nearly two years and we found it easy to talk about everything: there were no impediments to a bright future together. As often happens, once engaged, the planned date of 1969 , worked perfectly at first - his end of service sync-ed with my graduation from college - yes! But "Plan A" had to be dropped due to illness and financial setbacks to some of the top players in our lives - not a worry! The wedding date was accelerated to December 17th, 1966 at Christmas leave. Even better! This meant we could be together as Commissioned Officer and Officer's wife and I could help Red Cross. Of course, we were in a time of changes for us - some of which were not of our making and not of our desiring. But overall, such things were not a major obstacle. We were fine and families and legalities were pleased with us - happy.

I look back and think, "Gosh, we were brave!" We all had fine schools and fine studies and yet we were young, untried, new at adult life in any form, and that day, soon all off to war, and war is death! I remember the intense joy at our love and anguish for his survival in VietNam - competing for my emotions, love won that day.

We grew up on John Wayne patriotism and were sickened and undermined by the unpopularity of this war. But, just for now, even death had only limited powers in the face of our love! We knew we'd come "Shining through" and we did. War presented opportunities to serve one another AND our country and community and family, too.

In addition to the war to threaten this time of love's commitments, Mother and Dad were dealing with health and money issues , but they were the best, and so, cooking up a wedding helped everything !

This wedding project development was doing profoundly well at doing good in all ways.

In Fairfield, all brides were in heaven ! If you grew up there, for a golden time you owned the town! A blessed girlhood was paying off with a very happy start into adulthood! Wedding social and fashion and mores abounded! l Rules - there were rules and one could experience lots of desireable extras if one bothered to seek and follow them.

Young marriage is not really recommended, but we were were fine for it and it worked and lasted happily and successfully. There was plenty of excitement to whittle the few pounds off for a very classy look for the pictures! Happy cheat! Money, reception, gifts, engraved invitations, flowers, and the people we loved! Wardrobe? My beloved "Nanna" a friend of the family was a designer and we had serious fun with it and the shop keepers in the NYC garment district treated us like visiting royalty one afternoon, shopping for the wedding gown fabrics.

We made a nice picture in our wedding things - My double-brocaded satin and faux white mink Christmas wedding gown and his elegant USACE Officers Uniform: oh yes! It was going to be nice.

The day: Everyone had gone on to the church but the bride hung back for the classic "moment" on the threshold of her Father's house and stepping out over it to adulthood and new life, with a prayer for continued love for God and Man - especially one man! Her Man! The noise of war tried to crowd out the sweetness of the day and I recall ,saying silently to the heavens, " OHHHH NO YOU DON"T - not this day! This day is not yours - it is our day."

Snapped out of my reverie by a horn blast from my "carriage" , they promised to be going on to the church without me, if I did not come along as Dad did, to escort to me to Godfather Uncle Bill's long white car, laughing that I'd miss my own wedding! "Here comes the Bride!" , they called, laughing merrily, then turned solemn, as we approached the Church. The lovely vigil snowfall I'd hoped for had created the pretty scene and cleared, and now it was the cool and crisp but sunny day! Everything with the sparkling white coverlet and me afraid to own up to my own delight in it.

As we entered, it was clear that the arrangements were being carried out really well: work was well done: all was ready and lovely, especially the hearts! There for me was the church I helped fundraise for, festooned with flowers and ribbons all along my path; and the people filled the pews. There was my bridal party on ahead of me: maid of honor/cousin Betty; a sister of the groom, Mary; a best friend, my sister junior bridesmaid in her first gown, Lorraine, and my boss' six-year-old, our flower girl little Sandy.
Waiting at the altar the groomsmen were a handome show, in the classic line of duty: groom's brother the Best man, John Francis, in Naval Uniform, who almost took over the wedding when his Navy ship was delayed in docking and he had to make a wild dash racing down the aisle,to take his place on time; next, in Morning coat, my brother, Rick, on his way to a green beret then red; then Denny, a fellow officer from the groom's OCS ; and for my kid sister, my groom's kid brother Terry ! Some guys! I can be proud of them all to this day, thank goodness!

My Father, almost ashen with solemnity, escorted me down the aisle and passed my hand to my soulmate's keeping, so handsome in his newly-commissioned USACE officer's uniform - lucky me !

Our priest at the service was a personal friend to my father-in-law, who'd studied for the priesthood himself, early on, then turned to accounting and law and many babies. The vows: It was time. And we were ready and we were fine. The event itself seemed to go too quickly, after all that preparation!

But with rings and a kiss and a blessing and a song, and a full church giving a cheer, we were one!

The Reception at THE place for it that year was dizzy, with two hundred in attendance, but went very well, and soon we were at the Bridal Suite at the Hotel Americana in New York for the wedding night, and plane to Bermuda in the morning! We were just so happy to be "US" , we enjoyed the beauties of the "eye- lahnd" and our time alone so lovely! And when the Blizzard of '66 gave us an entire extra week at the Airline's expense - oh yes - grand fun to be stranded on an island with one's one true love! What better start - thank you, saints and angels!

Even a blizzard will clear after a week, but homecoming would now be on New Years Eve and more fun, and then off to Fort Knox a few days later. But that's another story.

My wish for my newlywed children ? Quote from a top pop film at the time: "Gidget" - her Grandmother in the movie points to the family motto: "Don't say that Love has been a disappointment to you ~ Don't you be a disappointment to Love ! "

...easy, once you get the idea

Elle Smith Fagan 12/25/17 Elle Smith Fagan 12/25/17

Restoration of Antique Nativity - FDR/WPA/FAP

Find full photo gallery forhttps://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007 — Find full photo gallery https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007

A Nativity Story

They say it was chilly out, but not at the Creche that night!

NEW! Latest book about the famous Sculptor features these figure molds, including the famous WPA Doll's head, and leading architectural sculptures.

Dick Wiken, Milwaukee Architectural Sculptor

FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF THE PROJECT AT https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007

Elle Smith Fagan 11/26/17 Elle Smith Fagan 11/26/17

How the Robin Got His Red Breast

Legend - fable - fiction - 2006 - from "A Christmas Stocking" by Louise Betts Egan

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the stable was nearly out, Joseph had gone for food and the new Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold. She turned to the animals about her and asked them for help.

Legend - fable - fiction - 2006 - from "A Christmas Stocking" by Louise Betts Egan

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The Newborn Baby sleeping, Mary resting, but the small fire in the stable was nearly out, Joseph had gone for food and the new Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold. She turned to the animals about her and asked them for help.

"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the fire might continue to keep my son warm?"

But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next, Mary asked the donkey, horse and the sheep to breathe life back into the fire, but the sleeping animals did not hear Mary. She wondered what to do.

Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, little brown robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. He went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.

His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle. Next, with his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable.

The Baby Jesus slept happily.

Mary thanked the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed."

And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.

Elle Smith Fagan 11/25/17 Elle Smith Fagan 11/25/17

The Twelve Days of Christmas Decoded

An Underground Catechism ~

You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of unique gifts.

An Underground Catechism ~

Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. It was used as a memory aid, when to be caught with anything "in writing", indicating adherence to the Catholic faith, could be risking one's very life! Church history includes many British Catholic martyrs for the faith during this era.

The song's gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.

"On the First day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, A Partridge in a Pear Tree" The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury (since he rose from the dead) to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." This opening symbolic reference bewails the current persecution, and the desire to protect the faithful and tutor the "nestlings" - christian children.

The other symbols mean the following:

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The First Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch",

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed in P.S. below.

-Paraphrased from -Fr. Hal Stockert 12/17/95 ( his version had to be cleaned up because his report of the persecutions digressed into boyish delight in describing methods of torture....not really appropriate or inspiring. But no other changes made.)

P.S. It has come to our attention that this tale is made up of both fact and fiction. But may it be that this tale give courage, and determination to use any creative means at one's disposal to keep one's faith alive. Original resource: Copyright © 1987-2003 Catholic Information Network (CIN) - Updated: 12-26-03

P.S. RE: On the twelfth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming.

The twelve drummers represent the twelve precepts of the Faith presented in the Apostle's Creed. The translation of the Creed given in the Catechism is given below.

I believe in God, the father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body, and
life everlasting. Amen.

Elle Smith Fagan 12/15/16 Elle Smith Fagan 12/15/16

The Tablecloth - TrueYule loveStory

THE TABLECLOTH is a true winter holiday story - with a wonderful happy ending!

THE TABLECLOTH - true winter holiday story

The brand new pastor and his wife, arrived in early October at Suburban Brooklyn, New York, newly assigned to their first ministry, to re-open a church that was not in use, very run down and needing much work. Undaunted, they set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve 1970.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, and more. It was December 18 and they were ahead of schedule and just about finished. Then, on December 19, a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm - hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor's heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 10 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor. Prepared to postpone the Christmas Eve service, he headed home.

On the way, he noticed that a local business was having a flea-market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman was running from the opposite direction,trying to catch a bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus, 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry.

The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area !

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was very pale. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, "EBG" were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman was stunned as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war, she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again!

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church.

To thank her for her beautiful gift, the pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a house-cleaning job. He then hurried back to prepare for the evening's duties.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve! The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great! At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. But one older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall, because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago, when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and witnessed the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine!

A True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid

Elle Smith Fagan 12/14/16 Elle Smith Fagan 12/14/16

Journey - The Shelter Quilt is Home.

UPDATE December 14, 2016
LIfelong arts and response work with red cross and others, my experience of Operation Hope Shelter for Homeless, in Fairfield Connecticut USA was unique.

Among other things, at the end of my involvement there, there was this quilt: made from "Bits and Pieces" of fabrics used to decorate the place, to alter clothing for residents needing to look good on job interviews etc... Lives whole again, once bits and pieces - as life will do- it's symbolism and being were so intense that only Monday, TWENTY years later, did it find it's home as a gift to the founders of the project. READ ON:

UPDATE Winter Holiday 2017 - to inspire the public to support their local shelters:

LIfelong arts and response work with red cross and others, my experience of Operation Hope Shelter for Homeless, in Fairfield Connecticut USA 1991-1996, was unique. Among other things, at the end of my involvement there, there was this quilt. And it's story.

The Quilt was made from "Bits and Pieces" - remnants of fabrics used to decorate the place or alter clothing for the temp shelter residents, for a nice appearance on job interviews etc. that would allow them to get on with their lives, self-directing and well.

The Shelter Quilt, to me, became a symbol of the shelter itself, which through its services, makes lives whole again - lives that were once in " bits and pieces" - as life will do.

The symbolism of the Shelter Quilt and its being were so intense that it found its home with the project founders no sooner than December 2016, TWENTY years after it was made. May it be a light and inspiration to all who see it. It's even soft and huggy.

For the story - READ ON:

Recovering by helping others, from sudden and early widowhood and then our children's empty nesting, I was Injured in an accident, right after my return from Redcross' ARCODS Assistant Station Manager service. It was so strange, after years of seeing to the emergencies of others, to BE the emergency, myself ! Several short term living arrangements happened while waiting for setup for my care needs. One day, I was the helper, the next day, the helped. Very odd. My background was lovely and my works fine and often above average, but things were barely in hand, after sudden and too-soon widowhood, when the recession hurt our money, so I rescued what I could of the money and paid it to our children to protect them up to their majority. Back home in Connecticut, felt I'd have no problem finding nice new work. But then the injury reduced me to poverty. But my background was very honored, and I proved it , and won a good care setup, and so, I saw that I could still help others, specially, though disabled.

I served at the shelter: scrubbed and disinfected, and lead singing and beauty and computer intimidation and art and resume classes and more. The Redcross work gave confidence and skills. Fine memory gave the LOVE and loving insights and powers.

The quilt : Our Shelter was in a wealthy area, so the clothing donations were smashing but often ill-fitting. So I made clothes or altered them for at least a dozen; made chintz type slipcovers for the shelter furniture and more.

This I did right through the "moments" at shelter - my own injuries' discomforts, plus the "moments" of the others: anguish, crisis, tears, occasional fights, thefts, and the one time I helped remove a very large knife from a heartbroken desperate young wife and mother with drug issues, and ideas to end it all.

There were also the social NIMBI things all shelters suffer; thankfully, these were offset by community and church support.

The Town Food Pantry Garden was across the street from the quite and green town shelter and we, the injured, had been hauling hose across the street daily in the hot weather , to keep it watered and growing. But then, a few yards away the firehouse next to the garden brought the fun fix: the men were cleaning their hoses and simply smiled and told us to get out of the way....ta dahhhh! They simply aimed the firehose over the fence and did so daily afterward. Best garden in town!

There were the gifts from the people in the community - food, music and invitations to join in the nice social events, and famiy fun, to make those at the shelter feel less like social lepers...so much good was done!

For some reason, when I did the sewing there, I saved all the fabric scraps from it, and, when my disability arrangements were made I moved on. One day, I found the scrap bag and thought , philosophically: wow! this would make "Quite a Quilt" - I cried and laughed as I pinned and sewed, and sometimes shook with fear, remembering - all alone in my lovely new bungalow.

"Bits and Pieces" I named it from the comments of one of the women at the time, referring to the famous old rock song of the same name. Seemed right. Then , to be sure to get on with it, I labelled some of the remnants on the quilt - this was from a woman's new work uniform, and that one from a man's slacks alteration...etc. .... and folded it up and packed it carefully AWAY. End. Resolved. Done. AWAY.

Every few years I'd pull it out and see how I was doing - I am so much more than fine! Busy happy and in the shows and regaining cash after all that injury before I am too old.

Thank you so much! I have donated cash and work to surpass my expense, using my artwork, to show my thanks in help to others.

And today, I am sending this on to the place where the fabrics were born - Faifield Connecticut's Operation Hope. They are still there, and helping over twenty years later!

It was presented to one of the founders as a wall-hanging from the loops I thought to include. I am so proud of its message. Few of us make the journey unscathed, but there was the feeling that , if I COULD make that quilt, it was one more sign: THE HOUSE WAS GOOD - and probably still is!

The communications with Operation Hope, after all these years, did not really hold, but the gift was arranged and the quilt shipped. I live on the other side of the state now. And there was reply, when all was done. In accepting the Quilt, last year, this closure was in my emails:

"Hi Elle:

We did receive your beautiful quilt and, as I mentioned, I am going to be presenting it to Reverend David Spollett, our founder, as a 30 year anniversary gift. We are so grateful for this gift. Please know it has sentimental value for us as well.

Sincerely, Carla"

My message - NEVER GIVE UP - there IS redemption and the "Great day in the morning!" Begin.

- elle