Open Thread – The Present
It was a regular day at work, and I was sitting at my desk doing work stuff. Phone rings. I keep typing, and wedge the phone between my ear and shoulder. “Yeah.” “There’s someone here to see you.” I sigh. I think, from experience that this is probably some kind of salesperson. “I’m kind of in the middle of something,” I say. I hear shuffling noises like you do when someone moves the phone around. “She says she has a present for you. Her name is Erin.” A present?
Hmm. “Is it ticking?” I am tempted to say. I go over and peek out the window. There is a very petite woman with curly hair and a very large box. She seems fairly unthreatening. And she looks eerily familiar. I think I’ve seen her at rallies…yes, I’m sure I have. I go downstairs and open the door. I realize that I know exactly who this is! It’s Erin, one of our wonderful forum administrators who lives here in Anchorage, and whom I’ve never actually met. I rarely get to hug forum moderators or admins because they are flung across the globe, but all of them deserve one, so I gave this admin standing right in front of me a particularly big hug for the entire forum crew.
She smiled, and then looked around, and said under her breath, “Is there somewhere else we can go?” So, I whisked her into a back room and she set down the box. She looked quite like someone who was in the act of dispatching an awesome responsibility. What on earth was in that box? She opened it carefully, and said that she was the one who had been chosen to bring the box. There was a two-page letter from Mudflatter Quince, she said, that would explain everything. By now, my curiosity was absolutely burning. She opened the flaps of the box, took out the two-page letter that rested on top, and handed it to me. Then the tissue paper was removed. “It’s a quilt,” she said.
Let me stop right here and say that for all of you who have made a quilt, or tried to make a quilt, or watched others make a quilt, you will know that what she was saying was, “This is a box full of lots of time, tremendous care, patience, love, creativity, and a couple four-letter words.” Making a quilt is no small task. I know this because I was once involved in a rudimentary way with creating a quilt. All I did was cut up little squares of fabric and pin them in patterns on a bigger piece of fabric. And that was enough to know that I had fun that one time, but that the extent I was willing to go with a quilt would have meant that all my creations would have remained full of pins. Not particularly comfortable. Sewing and I do not get along. So, all this flashed through my mind, like things do sometimes, in a split second right after she said, “It’s a quilt.”
Then the unfolding began. Row after row after row of squares, each one containing a pair of… boots! Mudflats boots! Yellow ones, blue ones, fringy ones,… “There were so many people involved. They all made pieces of it. And each one has all sorts of different symbols and meanings…” I’m sure she said a lot more about how this amazing creation came to be, but frankly I just stood there stunned. I was speechless. Twenty squares. And the thought that all these people whom I have never met, took this time, this care, to create something for me… well, I was very overcome. I kept looking at the gift-bearer and saying, “This is incredible!” and she kept saying, “I KNOW!” and we just looked at each other and the quilt. She started pointing little things out to me. “Look, they signed it too!” and all the little signatures scattered over the fabric became evident. “And this one’s from Juneau and this one’s from Arizona and this one’s…” I got lost again in the beads and the fabrics, each with its own symbology.
Finally, after a good twenty minutes of ooing and ahhing, my gift-bearer said she needed to go. She asked if she could take a picture. She did, and I walked her out and waved good bye after another hug, and another exchange of “Wasn’t that just incredible?” and “I know!”
I went back up to my office with my treasure tucked under my arm, and spent another half hour making all sorts of other discoveries. I called a couple blogger buddies and made them listen to me describe each square. I got home and made spouse look at each little thing. “That’s incredible,” he said. “I KNOW!” I said.
Above is the picture Erin took. But you can’t really appreciate the whole thing from that distance, so I’m going to take you on a virtual trip around this incredible quilt…four squares at a time!
Here are the squares in the upper left corner. First is the Hope sqare. It’s got images of DC, and stars and stripes, and it reminds me of the whole election season, but mostly election night and what a happy hopeful night it was. And “Hope” will also forever remind me of the “Hope Truck” and its wonderful drivers that drove from Kenai to Eagle Alaska, bringing supplies donated by Mudflatters and a brand new pressure washer to help the flood victims start to rebuild after the Yukon burst its banks and caused so much destruction. There have been many times this community has come together and really helped people.
Next is the dog square, featuring a pretty close representation of Buf the Mudflats dog, surrounded by a host of other “Mudpuppies.” And on close inspection, the dog in the center even has a little white heart stitched on her forehead! And those boots have a couple bites taken out of them!
Next are the classic yellow boots with an “I Heart AKM” from Lori in Los Angeles! There’s a nice muddy looking background and some Alaskan-y mountains and trees. Timeless. And what would politics (especially Alaskan politics) be without Popcorn!!
And finally, the Shakespeare square with tasseled boots. Veteran Mudflatters will know that not only do I have a deep and abiding love for the Bard, but that our very own ex-Attorney General Talis Colberg does as well. He wrote an introduction to the annual report from the Alaska Department of Law that compared that department under Palin’s guidance to Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt. It still makes me chuckle every time I think about it. I really believe it’s the hardest I’ve ever laughed in my life. Yes, the square made me laugh out loud too. It is appropriately bordered in velvet.
To all of you out there who had a hand in this devilishly secret project, thank you. This is one of those times when those words don’t seem quite adequate. I am so very touched and delighted and humbled by this incredible gift that I hardly know what to say. You all outdid yourselves. I will proudly hang this by my desk, as soon as I figure out how to do it!
I’d love it if those involved would comment and either claim your square, or your part in the project, or share with me any little details I may have missed. I feel like every time I look at it I see something new.
I’ll be back soon with four more squares! I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite…. but I think someone else can.
OK, what she’s really thinking is, “For the love of God, will you please stop flashing that thing in my face while I’m trying to sleep!” But I’m sure it will be her favorite after she has a good night’s sleep.
That quilt is just AWESOME!! I can honestly say I had absolutely nothing to do with it, but you mudpuppies who did? You did good. Now AKM knows we heart her! Right, AKM?
You all did AMAZING.
AKM you are appreciated and loved…….
It is absolutely, totally awesome, amazing and wonderful….. Great work Mudpups! You make me so proud to know you.
Wow.. this made me quite teary in a good way.
When I was approached by the quilting people to find a way to get this to AKMuckraker, I had no idea it was almost finished! I also had no idea just how awesome it was, or how jealous I would be that I cannot sew at all, because I wish I could have contributed a square myself.
The forum staff have had a tough week – we had something happen that really struck us painfully in our mudpuppy hearts, and when that happens as it occasionally does, we all pull together and work pretty hard to figure out either a solution or a way to make sure the same thing does not happen again, which we did with a fantastic effort from the whole team writing up those new rules we posted on the forum. That in itself was almost like a quilt, – a true team effort.
I am proud of our quilters – well done guys!
I am also proud of the wonderful forum team that we have created and the community that we have here.
Group hugs all round!
O my GOODness!!! That is really one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever seen. Absolutely WONDERFUL! What a beautiful group effort and touching gesture.
AKM, I hope you’ll get a good photo of that and turn it into a card or add it to the calendar , if you go that route. That is photo that needs to be shared and a reminder of all that is good and lovely in this community you began.
To everyone that was involved, my hat is off to you! You’ve touched my heart and started my day off with a big smile. Just fantastic!
A Day At The Office: Swine Flu
Day 1:
In the middle of the dessert, sandwiched in the flat lands of West Texas, lies a town called Lubbock.
From the birds eye it is configured like a scrabble board of lights and streets perpendicular like a compass pointing North and West.
In the center lies a loop, and in the loop lies the city, and in that city sits a hospital by the side of a man made lake, that within this structure on the second floor, with a view to the lake, is a room with a window, and on the other side of the pane, a soul looks outward for a breath of fresh air as a scorpion of indecision weighs heavy on his chest.
A pandemic is bourne by exhausted breath, and carried on the heels of an ill wind sweeping over the plains of America. And as such, has landed here, becoming owner and landlord of this man’s body…
The Reaper has a new nest found to roost.
The man splayed on the bed before me was aptly named Samson. He had the tone and physique of a warrior. Alot of tatoo’s on this man’s arms and chest. It wasn’t the art that suggested strenth, but the nobility in his face, untaut with frown or wrinkle, seemingly released from the world’s daily taxes by a medically induced narcotic slumber.
The comparison to myth was ironic, as when Samson met his love Delilah, his strength was unfulred by her beauty. In this case as well, great strength undone by an unexpected interloper, the swine flu.
Up until now everything had been pending… a flu epidemic, isolation wards, vaccine shortages, a potential disaster of national proportions, or some sort of near extinction of one species or another. Basically- your end of time scenario, that impending tsunami where immenent doom and all the goodies associated with sentences containing the phrase: “end of the world”, come to bear.
What was clearly evident to me at this moment, was that a young, 25 year old man had a date with destiny, a turn in the corner that I would join him on- to whatever end I had no clue.
As a perfusionist, putting people on bypass (the heart-lung machine) is something I do on a daily basis. We work in tandem with the heart team, in undoing to the heart and body, damage incurred as the end result of alot of poor choices, genetics, age, or just poor fortune.
In this case misfortune comes to mind. Fate, Kismet, come uppance, whatever- just a bad lottery ticket for Samson.
The problem here is not the heart, but the cytokine induced storm that has ravaged his lungs due to the H1N1 flu virus. Placing Samson on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) essentially relieves his lungs of their work load and allows us to assist in making sure his body gets enough oxygen to survive, while allowing his lungs to rest. Essentially we “bypass” his lungs and emulate their function lending new meaning to the term “a breath of fresh air”.
Every salvage operation seems to have a subtle caveat. That speck of dust on the resume’, the misprint on the warranty, and in this case the purity of the effort slightly diluted by rumors of jail time, and gang affiliations tatooed to the body to be ressurected.
Not to say that any of us are absent impurities of thought and deed, but every rescue seems better started off as a fairy tale, rather than a day time soap opera. In other words- I’ll take Walt Dysney over Stephen King if we’re going to get this one started.
Day 2
I had alot of time to think about Samson last night and this morning. I arrived to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at 3:00 pm to begin a shift of 19 hours watching the heart-lung machine as Samson had been placed on ECMO late last night.
The night was restless as different scenarios and “what-if’s” surfaced faster than the misty geysers I was dreaming of. Certainly his age (25) and outward appearance of great strength and invincibility, made me wonder when whatever felled this oak tree, would eventually turn towards me, see past my shadow, and begin to lay waste.
Oh, that is truley beautiful,I teared up a bit, so much love and attention put into this work of art.
Any one involved in this work be proud of yourseves.
AKM be proud of yourself also.
To been presented with this Quilt is an honour.
Well done mudpuppies.
What a gorgeous quilt
, kudos to all the talented mudflaters
Congratulations on your WONDERFUL, WONDERFILLED quilt AKM!
I’m starting to think that the blogosphere has a quilting conspiracy going on……..Linda….Diva… received one a couple of weeks ago too.
What a way to show love, appreciation and support, to 2 women who will treasure and take comfort in them, as only women can.
If you haven’t seen this documentary, The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend, PBS I think ……..please…… take the time, you won’t be disappointed and you will see…… how quilting really IS art……what profound meanings it can have ………and of course what family & local history they contain………quilts literally saved lives, pointing the way north. for self liberated slaves.
These women are amazing…first here is their own website:
http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/quiltmakers/
Here is the website for the emmy award winning film about them:
About The Film
This one-hour high-definition film documents a group of internationally-acclaimed black quiltmakers from Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Their work has been hailed by Michael Kimmelman of The New York Times as “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend explores the extraordinary lives, inspirations, and history of these artists, and also follows them on a poignant and sometimes very comical bus journey to see their quilts exhibited at The Milwaukee Art Museum
http://www.aptv.org/AS/GeesBend/Preview.asp
This is what I came here to post, until i was delightfully lost in “the quilt”"
FOX has promoted and supported the “birthers”, including dentist/lawyer, Orly Taitz …Lou Dobbs of CNN has promoted the “birthers”.
This ruling from judge Carter says it all..their agenda is to unseat a legitimate president…..so that INCLUDES FOX and Lou Dobbs facilitated by CNN.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another challenge from birther queen Orly Taitz against President Obama’s birth certificate has been thrown out of court.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter’s decision came down this morning.
Dismissed Orly Taitz’s challenge that Barack Obama is not a natural-born citizen and so is not the country’s legitimate president.
Judge Carter wrote in his decision that the plantiffs were asking the Court “to effectively overthrow a sitting president who was popularly elected by We the People‚ sixty-nine million of the people.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/orly-taitz-lawsuit-thrown_n_338870.html
Quilters are such amazing human beings!!!
Enjoy your gift. I am so happy for you!!!
This was aired in 2005….so I guess you would have to by the dvd, unless PBS rebroadcasts it.
I lift a glass to the quilt makers who gifted AKM and Diva , I hope you enjoy this little story:
The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend
Women from the poorest county in America have become celebrated artists in the nation’s great museums. Their unique journey comes to life in THE QUILTMAKERS OF GEE’S BEND, airing on PBS Thursday, February 3, 2005.
THE QUILTMAKERS OF GEE’S BEND tells the story of the critically acclaimed African-American quiltmakers from Gee’s Bend, Alabama. The New York Times hailed their work as “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” The documentary explores the extraordinary lives, inspirations and history of these women, and also follows them on a poignant and sometimes comical bus journey to see their quilts exhibited at a major museum.
The artists are all descended from slaves who worked a plantation called Pettway, located on the Alabama River. The plantation owner’s surname is still ubiquitous in the community, and the residents still inhabit the land their ancestors once slaved. But now they own it. Through generations, the women of Gee’s Bend have taught their daughters to quilt, using any piece of material available – from feed sacks to old work clothes. During times when self-expression was discouraged, their singing and their unique quilt patterns represented the women’s only creative outlets. Geographically and culturally isolated from other communities, they developed techniques and styles with little outside influence; hence this quilting coterie has been compared to the great artistic enclaves of the Italian Renaissance.
About 10 years ago, an art historian “discovered” these quiltmakers and began introducing their work to curators. Quilts that once kept families of sometimes 16 children warm inside drafty log cabins now hang inside some of the world’s finest museums. Textiles that were once thought worthless now sell for thousands of dollars. A new sense of self-respect has evolved. And what is most extraordinary, despite their many struggles, the women are not bitter. Wherever they go, they leave behind a kind of inexplicable residual joy – as though they are unwitting ambassadors of goodwill and examples to the world that the key to true happiness exists in positive human relationships, not material wealth
http://www.pbs.org/previews/quiltmakers_geesbend/
Totally cool quilt AKM- very beautiful !
What an awesome quilt! I love things like that, but even though I can sew, I don’t think I have the patience for all the detail of doing a quilt. And it’s even better that you were totally surprised by it. Very cool, quilting mudpups, very cool.
I quilt during massive snowstorms. A wonderful time. Great quilt.
Now, went to Blue Oasis, read Artic Cat 2, but how does one find artic cat 1? Love that site, but it has got to be the hardest ever to find things and/or post comments.
It’s absolutely beautiful. Don’t forget if you click on the four squares and press Ctrl +++ a few times you can zoom in and see even more detail. Well done quilters.
Paula @ 14..here is the link to part 1: http://divasblueoasis.com/diary/905/undisclosedwhat-palins-financial-disclosure-left-outpt-1-alaska-fund-trust
At Linda’s blog if you click on the ‘for alaska and beyond” script near the top it opens up the prior posts, usually. I too wish Linda could make her site friendlier to us non geeks!
Wow! You guys made such a wonderful quilt! How very cool of you all! We have some very talented mudpups and a very deserving AKM. The community of friends here and at the Forum is awesome. I’m so glad I found you all!
What a lovely gift and surprise. Fantastic job Mudpup Quilters! How creative and artistic. Looking forward to the seeing all the squares.
Totally fabulous! What a tribute to the Mudpuppy community! Take a bow everyone! You guys rock!
What patience and love, made just for you AKM. Brilliant work quilters!
Looking forward to seeing the details on the next 4 squares.
Martha, I have it on excellent authority that you have correctly identified a quiltmaking conspiracy!
Special thanks to every mudpuppy who signed and/or otherwise worked on the quilt, including the hand delivery.
What a gift. Quilts come with a whole lot of love. You’re special AKM.
This gift is a testimony of love for all you do AKM. I’m a crafter and know what it takes to make something of this caliber… You are well deserving of this as and so much more. Your dedication, insight and creative spirit will live on through this quilt and I suspect that this wonderful gift will inspire more offerings to you. You are beloved and blessed.
Life flows..thick, then thin..then..may quiet..and others..pick up..The Beat. We ‘quilt’..with our talents, our passion to move danger, or cold, or illness..away..and nurture..the shoots of the living family..jar of jam, extrordinary quilt or medical procedures ..at a time. Family..we are..
Thanks Tantef.
On the Blue Oasis topic -has anyone ever heard a word about the 5K in emails she got? Did she get them? What was in them? Was there ever a post of them?
Couldn’t resist- a very funny note from Daily Kos
Sarah Palin calls boy, 5, an “arrogant bed-wetter” on her Facebook page
by WilliamKWolfrum
HOLLYWOOD – Ex-Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin took to her Facebook page again today, this time to refute allegations made by 5-year-old Timmy Johnson of Tupelo, Miss., who had made harsh comments about Palin yesterday.
* WilliamKWolfrum’s diary :: ::
*
“Timmy Johnson is an embarrassment to 5-year-olds everywhere,” wrote Palin. “He is an ignorant, selfish attention whore.”
The attack by Palin came after Johnson made remarks about Palin during a pre-school class.
“She’s scary,” Johnson reportedly said. “I don’t like her.”
Word quickly got to Palin about the boy’s remark, and she wasted no time in responding.
“If there’s anyone more in need of a timeout than Timmy Johnson, I can’t think of them,” said Palin. “The little bed wetter needs to mind his own business.”
The attack on young Johnson is the latest attack on young boys by Palin. Earlier this week, she called teenager Levi Johnston – the father of her grandchild – a prostitute.
“Those who would sell their body for money reflect a desperate need for attention and are likely to say and do anything for even more attention,” said Palin, a former beauty contest contestant.
While conservatives cheered Palin’s aggressiveness in attacking anyone who would go against her (“I am so in love with her,” said Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol), others have complained that Palin is beginning to show a callous and vindictive side.
“I have no idea what’s going on here,” said Gloria Johnson, mother of Timmy. “But the bed wetting remark was out of bounds. Timmy is very sensitive about that.”
In other news, Palin announced that she will soon be quitting Facebook.
“The best way for me to help social media is to be outside of social media,” said Palin, who then apparently became distracted and just started spouting her normal talking points. “Like a salmon swims socialist polar bears riding snow mobiles oil and Patriots You betcha Trig. America!!”
–WKW
Very beautiful work of Art by the, Mudpups. I can’t sew but admire those that can. Anytime you are having a bad day, AKM just look at the Quilt and it should bring a smile to your face.
What an amazingly wonderful gift. Having just this week learned how to thread my sewing machine and fill a bobbin, and just yesterday I sewed 2 straight lines with my properly threaded machine and bobbin …… well I am in AWE of these talented quilters! I sstill have a little more cutting and sewing till i finish my first project. My son wants to be a monk for Halloween, and there are no brown cloaks in store bought costumes this year. Therefore, I must find a fabric store (surprisingly not an easy task!), and I must learn to sew. I love my children – they help me grow and learn each and every day!!!
What a magnificent job those quilting pups did! Just beautiful, and such an appropriate gift.
I’m in awe! I love it:). I have just started to learn this artform and I’m just in awe!!!!! How beautiful!!!!!!!!
What an amazing gift. I too, am in awe. I can barely sew on a button, so this creation blows me away. The love, creativity and hard work behind it are priceless. You Mudpuppies rock!
Also too,
Tantef and Paula: Thanks for the tips. I thought I was the only one who had issues at Diva’s site. I love to read it, but I haven’t figured out how to post or navigate her site. I feel better now.
Paula,
There were some posts a few weeks back about the emails. They have not been released yet….amazing, isn’t it? AKM wrote about it a few weeks ago. I’m sure you can find it in the archives.
There is something very fishy going on with those emails.
It’s lovely. And, what it represents is the collective spirit, courage and determination of the human condition. Beautiful! What an honor, AKM!
Living history in art that comforts. Awesome!
It’s beautiful!
You pups did a wonderful job and I hope you know it.
And AKM – I can’t think of anyone more deserving.
Lovely way to start the day – reading about this “conspiracy.” Well done, Mudpups!
Nan
My Mother-in-Law is a prolific quilt maker. She cranks a new one out about
every 6 weeks. I think she would like that quilt AKM.
I found this this a bit late to share on the last open thread.
You mudpups need to see Tom Tomorrow’s latest cartoon!
http://www.salon.com/comics/tomo/2009/10/26/tomo/
DD
Absolutely breathtaking, and incredible. The art is wonderful, the love behind it is beyond words. It makes me feel that there IS hope for our planet because there are some beautiful people out there.
I love it! A few weeks ago I got a beautiful gardening quilt in the mail from a wonderful reader in New England.
I’m so glad you now have one of your own!
What a cool gift. Kudos all around to the quilters!!
AKM, these ‘quilt hangers’ look pretty cool. You could get one with a shelf and give Brian and Mudflats memorabilia a place to hang out, also too.
http://www.lorieslittlequilts.com/
Oh, how lovely!
Awe you sneaky wonderful creative talented caring mudpuppies! WAY TO GO! I personally thank you, your gift is a wonderful idea. I absolutlely love it. High five to all of you, ya done good. Way to surprise the heck out of AKM, lol. This has put a smile on my face, warmed my heart and made my day brighter.
Those mudpups can tell ya how to hang it AKM. I can’t wait to see the rest of the blocks.
Yes, we can.
I am in awe if the craftmanship, to say nothing of the love that went into that quilt. It is even more of a ‘gift’ considering you are connected to the hands that worked so hard to create it.
AKM: That quilt is exquisite. Not only is the beauty and the detail awesome, but also the thought presented in the symbolism shown in each square. A very creative, loving and dedicated group of Mudflattters!
#27 WranglerTractor: My son wanted to be a monk one year. I used lightweight corduroy in a dark rust color. made a long column with slits at the sides for walking ease, added sleeves and a hood. Really simple and quick. I was a single mother, this ‘costume’ served as a robe also for a few years.
Amazingly inspired gift for an amazingly inspirational woman. Great job, all.
What a loving and totally appropriate gift! You are LOVED, AKM, not just by the quilters (who thus far seem to choose anonymity), but by all of us! I first came to the Flats to find out who this Palin creature might be, but I’ve stayed for the caring community, the great late-night chat, and the fabulous photography. NYC Mudstock was a blast — never felt so at home with a group of “strangers.” And it’s all because of you, AKM. As the Aussies say, Good on ya, girl!
what a wonderful surprise AKM. i am very happy for you. the mudpups of Mudflats are as lovely a group of people as can be found anywhere. thank you for sharing the pictures of the quilt. and snoskred it was a pleasure to be a part of your efforts to keep us safe from all manner of harm. the quilt could not have delivered at a better time…feeling all soft and tender…bubs
Aw, it’s so cool to see everyone’s work! What a lovely quilt and what a great bunch of love that is.
First off, that quilt is fantastic, my sister makes them and I know how hard they are.
Second, my first thought upon seeing AKM holding it up was … “omg, that looks like Wilson on the Home Improvement show!”
WOW…Soooo cool…Thanks again AKM for sharing and providing this wonderful home for all the Mudpuppies..Have a great weekend …
WOW! I’m and quilter myself, and can appreciate thelove, creativity, time and logistics involved in this. You are truly loved, AKM!
What a gorgeous quilt!
sorry, gotta share a snark, MSNBC reported Scarah’s approval rating has dropped to an all time low of 27%, lol, too bad, so sad.
I just love quilts. AKM my heart goes with that quilt.
OK this morn i saw Democracy now on KYES Anchorage!!!!!
I now support KYES.
Alaska steps into the real world one step at a time.
This just warms my heart, AKM. You are SO deserving….
TGIF The quilt is beautiful. Growing up we had a “birdie blanket” It was a quilt made by my great-grandmother that my mom would break out if we were home sick from school, laying on the couch watching tv & sipping ginger ale. Each square had a different “birdie” It was loved to death…
It’s been a helluva week for winky. Let’s see: Cage fighting with grandsons’ dad. Iowa & countdown in her face about $100 grand speaking fee, every one’s pointing fingers at each other on that faux pas. KBH vs goodhair perry = darth vader vs winky. Endorsement of nerd in NY23 = newt vs winky. CD and others poking around pie sky. Does anyone know about something in AK craig’s list? I keep seeing reference to it in the the tubes.
I just wanted to say, after reading the disclosure article at HP, that I am continuously amazed at Diva’s never-ending pursuit of the truth in this mess. I know that I wouldn’t have the energy nor the stomach to do what she is doing. When I hear people complain about the corruption in Alaska or say “wow, Alaska is a mess” I want to remind them that all the states have their own ‘messes’ in government, to some extent. I only wish that every state would have citizen watchdogs that were as dedicated to finding the truth and tireless in their hunt for it. Go Alaskan bloggers!
Wait ’till you see the quilt square done by stapelgun! That’s mine!
Everybody who is registered with Huffpo MUST go there and post something about C. Divas post that AKM posted. Bump the numbers up and get this story noticed. This could be the ONE that will force the MSM to look hard into the way Sarah is ‘ doing business ‘. The lies are on paper… in her own hand-writing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/palins-non-disclosure—q_b_339633.html
————————-
As a follow-up AKM… can we call or email these people on this Board to let them know that there are a LOT of people watching THEM. Sarah just lied to their faces, turned up her nose and walked away. She doesn’t care.
The outrage and spotlight will have to be directed at this board to do the right thing. Ala.. Jon Stewart maybe they need some public humiliation to make them act and do their jobs for the citizens of AK.
Otherwise… they are like co-conspirators in allowing this to happen. This dishonest disclosure statement is a criminal act.
Will the Board stand up like Joe Wilson and say ” You LIE!” ( Insert Sarah)
{ That might be the perfect sign for some public demonstrations somewhere }
Also too, I think I like Levi, but not in a dating type way, lol. He shows he cares about people. Scarah is forcing his hand, stupid foolish woman. And I can see this happening with Levi and a bunch of women in a prison setting, lol. This is what he said when asked whether he is dating a woman 11 yrs older as rumor has it, which he denied. I don’t know what the cougar symbol means but I can imagine what everything else may be, lol.
http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=3580
“But he says he’s getting a lot of attention from older women. He told The Early Show when he visits his mom, who is in prison for selling prescription drugs, the inmates “go nuts” and he says, “They hold up cougar signs and everything else, it’s hilarious”
It’s a beautiful quilt – one that showcases the eternal qualities of friendship, comraderie and the ability of the human race to come together and show love towards each other. Even if we disagree.
I am so happy to be part of this community, albeit in a small way =) You have all enriched my life =)
HUGS!!
lookie here……..sheesh, they don’t want to invite us.
http://www.wrtl.org/blog/index.php/2009/10/28/anti-palin-bloggers-zero-in-on-november-6-sarah-palin-event/
October 28, 2009
Anti-Palin Bloggers Zero in on November 6 Sarah Palin Event!
Will there be an anti-Palin crowd at the Wisconsin Right to Life Presents Sarah Palin event on November 6 in Milwaukee? Bloggers who appear to have nothing better to do than pound on Palin have their antennae up about the upcoming Palin event. While not blatantly urging people to attend, they do provide a link to the Palin event so that their “followers” can buy tickets, presumably to attend. And, disrupt?
Tickets are going fast and we don’t want the anti-Palin people to crowd the audience. Bring a carload — you don’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity to hear Sarah Palin. Order your Palin event tickets here.
Barbara Lyons
OMG, if I were a big liar I would take credit for the whole thing. Too lovely, perfectly crafted and amazingly zany at the same time – just like AKM!
I’ve just scanned the article so far
Way Cool
Well earned
The creativity and caring that went into the quilt is AWESOME.
Superb job fellow mudpuppies, for a deserving lady!
A badly needed and long overdue bill is finally passed and the religious nutters think they are being persecuted!
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/30/robertson-noose-hatecrimes/
PAT ROBERTSON: The noose has tightened around the necks of Christians to keep them from speaking out on certain moral issues. And it all was embodied in something called the Hate crimes bill that President Obama said was a major victory for America. I’m not sure if America was the beneficiary. [...] We have voted into office a group of people who are opposed to many of the fundamental Christian beliefs of our nation. And they hold to radical ideology, and they are beginning [to] put people sharing their points of view into high office. And not only that, they not only have control of both houses of Congress.
This is why people, strangers everywhere went the extra effort to make AKM a quilt, because she would appreciate the value of this sentimental gift.
Thank you anonymous mudpups for showing the love.
SayNo @ 59 – Interesting that there is only one comment posted and I wonder how long it will be left up?
“Why the concern about those who are not enthralled with Palin attending? Is there a fear that someone might pull a Joe Wilson and tell her “You lie!”?”
Maybe some of us mudflatters need to get on over there and give that poor lone commenter some company. (snicker)
This quilt has left me with a smile all day. Love it and love it.
JC @53 – what a sweet tradition , the birdie blanket. I bet it had special healing powers for many reasons. ( re: your question about the Craig’s list postings – it has to do with two photos of Palin taken a few days apart that puts a focus on the ….ummmm… baby “aytgay” issue. )
Say NO @59 – they don’t want to share this event with us? how unfriendly! ( i suppose they would not be at all happy that I have tickets to the College of the Ozarks speech)
I See Villages from my House–strangers? We’re not strangers here…(well, we may BE stranger than some, but we’re not strangers!)
#65 thanks for the craig’s list info buff!
InJuneau – I agree! We are stranger but not strangers.
Oh dearest one(s) who liveth in the steel town, who so unselfishly giveth with open heart and open arms – who carefully driveth to meet the travelers to town and safely escort them from plane to hotel – who toils and seweth and bringeth little cloth squares for we to add our own message of love……..
Oh dearest one(s) – do cometh here now, out yourself for your well-deserved applause and recognition. For it is you who hath provided the plan, the toil, the very imaginings that resulted in this thing of beauty that bringeth a tear to the eye of our AKM.
could anyone do more injustice to Shakespeare’s style than I haveth? LOL
Lori-eth – You channeled Shakespeare in a way-eth that would make Dame Judi and Dame Maggie-ith Smith ( ith??) weep. ( and perhaps gnash) (ith)
Dare ye that toiled in love and caring make yourselves known? Do so and we will applaud and love you for your efforts.
(and , if i continue any further, I shall slip back into Pirate Talk because, I get easily confused )
yes lori…they can…..oh my sweet companions of writings toil; thou dids’t work thou majics upon our naked souls and loves’ glorious moil dids’t thou cover us in steamy warmth. this is fun. can thou beatus that? heehee.
go buff go!
((((((((((((((((((((((((injuneau and martha uys))))))))))))))))))))))
I just noticed that ” Eye on You ” posted this link on another blog.
It says that Levi has reported that he is going to have to take Sarah to court about his visitation rights. More details in the story.
——————
“Relations between the former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston, the teenager who almost became her son-in-law, have deteriorated to the point that a court battle is now inevitable, he has told the Guardian.
The dispute is over Tripp, his infant son by Palin’s eldest daughter, Bristol: he claims Palin is preventing him from seeing the child.
“I’m up to the point where I can’t see my kid again. I’m done. I’m sure we’ll end up in court. We’re definitely going to court,” Johnston, 19, said in an interview in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.”
———————-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/30/levi-johnston-sarah-palin-custody
Lacking a thread on Halloween, I take keyboard in hand to tell you all that Brian the Moose has taped a giant Hershey bar to his antlers and is trick or treating as . . . . .
Wait for it . . . .
A chocolate mousse!
Buff and Bubbles – I am cracking uppeth! Buff and Bubs – names sound like the jesters of the Court of Devon.
New post at Margaret and Helen. ROFL!! Helen really skewered Quittypants.
“Palin having an opinion about Levi Johnson “selling his body” is like Roman Polanski having an opinion about Woody Allen’s choice in girlfriends. Pot meet Kettle. “
Love the quilting conspiracy concept! Hugs and cheers for the beautiful, thoughtful, creative, skilled, sneaky quilters!
I missed the audio link in the UK Guardian story when I first browsed it.
There is a 10 minute audio link that has some very ‘ interesting ‘ comments
in there from Levi. He is speaking very candidly about Sarah.
Saying how phony she is on a number of different subjects.
It’s a good listen. Don’t miss it.
Oh, and also, the quilt is perfectly awesome! What a great gift!
HonestyinGov@75,
I just had to laugh at this part of a paragraph in the linked article:
“A large part of Palin’s political appeal rests on her reputation for being a homely “hockey mum” that could be tarnished by a public custody fight.”
I, the California-born American, spent two years of my college career studying abroad (one in York, England, and one in Glasgow, Scotland), and learned that lots of words didn’t mean the same over there as they do here.
Some of my favorites:
“May I borrow your rubber?”
“Shall I knock you up in the morning?”
And … homely. Homely here basically means “ugly”, “unattractive”. We used to use the word “homey” to refer to someone who was … domestic, based at home, provided a home-like atmosphere. I’m not even sure how we would translate that today. She’s “so Martha Stewart”(?)
So to see homely applied to Sarah Palin is … pretty funny.
Can someone forward this to Meg? Maybe we can bait her to write something on her facebook page about how awful the British press is for calling her ugly.
What a beautiful quilt. So much love and attention to detail went into it. I’m just awestruck at how truly love it is and what wonderful quilters we have here on the mudflats.
*major hand clapping*
Kudos to each and every one of you who worked on this.
AKM, couldn’t think of a better recipient.
It seemed like Levi almost said another name along with Bristol’s when he told ET that Bristol had suspicions for quite some time that Toad had or was having an affair, interesting. I wonder if he was going to say Willow but stopped, wanting to keep her out of the gossip ring.
But, sisters do talk and if one had suspicions for more than a while, I bet they talked about it. Levi does say he if there was one, he didn’t catch onto it. Women have different radar that way, we pick up on red flags pretty quick. And I bet Bristol and Scarah didn’t get along too well, teenage girls and their mothers often don’t.
He said they fought a lot! And Toad was the one to say okay let’s get a divorce, she’d say shut up and stop talking to him. Sounds pretty dysfunctional, which makes sense with a be all end all egotistical narcisist, lol. Passive/aggressive marriages usually eventually fall apart.
I hope Levi is asked what they fought about, my bet is Scarah thought she worked the hardest and brought home the bacon and Todd thought she was never home for him and the kids. And I bet they did shove off the child rearing on the kids because of bad attitudes thinking they each did more than their share. And I’m sure Todd’s expensive boy toy indulgences were his quiet way of indulging himself in his just deserves. And I’m sure Scarah resented the time and expense of them, that he preferred them over her, jealous of that passion. After all, what passions does Scarah have? herself, guess they are both the same in that respect. I do remember thinking during the races when I realized how dangerous it is what kind of a man would risk his life and health when he has a family.
I wonder if Scarah gave named Todd’s business? Toad Fisheries. Did her prince charming of youth turn back into a toad? Maybe I should stop calling him Toad, it’s sounds like something she’d say, lol, but until she stops being scary, devious and selfishly dangerous, she’s Scarah to me.
Levi’s convinced they plan to divorce, but thinks they’ll wait for the right time. I imagine living in separate houses should help. To me he means when money coming in drys up, investments are in place, and they both have the best arrangements possible, they are going to milk it for all it’s worth, neither want to work. Levi says, just like she waited and timed her quitting, (heck that was a year in the making). She’s a schemer, I think more than many understand, it’s a conniving mean girl honed gawd aweful soap opera type trait.
I do believe Levi’s got her number! lol He knowingly smiles and says, “She’s good at putting on a front.” And he says this is little stuff he’s telling, lol.
Scarah’s not gonna be a happy camper! Will there be any dishes unbroken, is this why there are no pictures? lol Man, I can just imagine the heat level going up, and when is daddy Heath jumping into the ring. Are the radio guys trashing Levi too?
http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/10/80344/
Okay, enough gossipy speculation, back to my own life……lol.
See, we all knew it:
UPDATE – Palin hopes to make Iowa stop at later date
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin won’t headline a social conservative group’s annual meeting next month in Des Moines.
But the organization says she expressed interest in speaking before the group later.
Palin begged off this time citing her upcoming book tour.
BuffaloGal, have you gotten them (the icketays, shhh) in the mail already?
A very beautiful and well deserved gift AKM —
awesome top secret plan carried out by some VERY talented & sneaky Mudpuppies
Kudo’s to all of you !! Fantastic Job !!
@60 Martha Unalaska Yard Sign Says:
… Too lovely, perfectly crafted and amazingly zany at the same time – just like AKM!
—————–
It IS, It IS !
Mudpups rock…!
To the ‘pups who made the quilt for AKM, you made MY day!
Anyone familiar with Jacqui Lawson and her fantastic holiday cards?
Here’s her latest – Happy Halloween..
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1936589964780&source=jl999
Lori,
We can’t take credit for the plan or the making of the quilt here in Pittsburgh. But we were more than thrilled to help to get the pieces back and forth and signed.
All,
I am absolutely in awe of quilters. I have tried a couple of times to take a class so that I could learn, but life has always intervened. I still have a quilt that my husband’s grandmother made me when we were married. Last year, after spending years drooling over the fabulous quilts in the Lancaster Amish area of PA, I finally bought the quilt of my dreams. It was only the top, so I had to find others to finish it for me, but I LOVE it. Hubby says I’m good at quilt management.
Quince and all quilters, you did a great job with this. Thank you for making AKM happy and bringing a smile to all of us here.
There are some comments over at PalinGates site that say Sarah’s Facebook page has been locked since Tuesday and that one of the last comments was referencing an investigation about her final disclosure. I’ve not gone looking for her page, but it would be interesting to know if it really has been locked and the real reason why. Is someone running scared?
re #75 (Honesty in Gov)
Is it just me, or is it “interesting” that the only place I’ve seen mention recently about Levi going to court is in a UK news? Why has it not been reported on here? Or was it that the “right questions” weren’t asked?
Inquiring minds, and all that
Just popped in to see the results of Quince’s handiwork– wow! I was glad to be a small part of this; it’s amazing to see what mudpups can accomplish, be it boxes for the Villages or a quilt for AKM
Scarah and the Toad–Great title for a book-sounds like a fairy tale, maybe fairy tale gone bad!!
Beautiful quilt, Mudpup quilters!
I had to laugh when Levi said, it’s ridiculous, she acted like she liked me for 5 or 6 years and now she starts talking bad about me, they talk bad about people all the time, lol. I see. So he knows what is going on behind his back and closed doors because he’s seen a good deal of that towards others over the 5-6 years hanging out with them.
And now she’s called in her pitbull lawyer, ruff.
Levi does defend her and say she’s not racist, hmm, if not, she has an awful strange and sick sense of humor, saying backward unacceptable things that sound very bigoted while thinking they are funny. I bet she thinks the comics depicting our President as a gorilla are funny too. And those forwarded racist joke emails that circulated her administration probably went to her and sent on to others.
She seems to enjoy and appreciate crass humor when it’s directed towards others, she can dish it but she can’t take it. More evidence of thin skin.
A very gorgeous quilt. It seems as if it was a labor of love for those very creative Mudpups. You deserve it AKM! Applause, Applause!!
Nan, the ET segment for tonight I think mentions it. I think they done gone and p*ssed him off good with the hissing Meg press release. Typical Scarah behavior, nice to see nothing has changed.
I think she may have an anger/rage management issue!
Between she and McCain, we are SO lucky they are not in the White House!
Tremendulous work, Mudpuppies!
Well deserved love sewn into that quilt, AKM.
Getting back to that gorgeous quilt, I am wondering if AKM might consider bringing it along and showing it off at the upcoming Anchorage/Valley Mudstock? I want to see what the back looks like, too! Did you notice the link somewhere on page 1 I think with the quilt hanger/shelf site that would look gorgeous with your new quilt? Beautiful!
GG2C, the JacquieLawson site is so great! Thanks for the link. And congrats- no more 2B!
Thanks Boo! JL is so clever and has lots for every holiday.
“Tune In Tomorrow” , says Palin via FB!
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=163531118434&ref=mf
**** Mark my words – tomorrow is the game changer! Tune in to hear common sense solutions that bury the false accusations that conscientious members of Congress have no solutions to meet America’s health care challenges. ****
Mark her words, she said!
( isn’t that what Beck says every day or so ?? )
From Wonkette:
“[People] are fed up — frustrated and fed up and angry about the way in which our government does not work, about the way in which we come down here and get into a lot of political games and seem to — partisan tugs of war and forget why we’re here, which is to serve the American people. And I think the filibuster has become not only in reality an obstacle to accomplishment here, but it also a symbol of a lot that ails Washington today.” That’s… Joe Lieberman! From 1994, when he tried to pass legislation watering down the filibuster. We’d like to think Joe will get grilled with these quotes when he appears on the CBS show Sunday morning…”
Maybe WE should contact Sunday morning and DEMAND Traitor Joe be grilled on just that?:
CBS News Sunday Morning E-MAIL: sundays@cbsnews.com
Lieberman’s wife does PR work for Glaxo-Smith-Kline, so I hope they will ask him about THAT too!
104 BuffaloGal Says: “Tune In Tomorrow” , says Palin via FB!
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=163531118434&ref=mf
**** Mark my words – tomorrow is the game changer! Tune in to hear common sense solutions that bury the false accusations that conscientious members of Congress have no solutions to meet America’s health care challenges. ****
Yeah, and if Boner says “we’ll let insurance companies cross state lines to seek new customers”, I’ll say, 1) why didn’t you just allow that already. like, years ago?; and 2) that doesn’t solve the problem if insurance companies still have complete control over what they charge and how much and how often they can increase rates, and we the people have no other options.
Hey Boner, got any answer to insurance companies not allowing people who want to sign up (i.e., give them money), but not allowing them to because of, oh, say, a pre-existing condition, however they choose to define that?
How about those of us who work but don’t get health insurance from our employees because we are classified as “temporary”, or “part-time” or … whatever?
What you got in mind for us, Boner? Please explain what the reform is. I’m all ears.
I just received this from NOW not that I’m a member but I had to sign up to complain to them about their stance on Palin vs Letterman.
Will these type of things ever end!!!!!!
NOW Offers Condolences to Richard Schroeder’s Family
Statement of NOW President Terry O’Neill
October 30, 2009
NOW offers condolences to the family of Richard Schroeder, who died Thursday night. The death is being investigated as very suspicious, according to local police.
A retired U.S. marshal, Schroeder had provided protection to Dr. George Tiller, a heroic abortion provider who was murdered outside of his church in May.
Schroeder risked his own life to protect Dr. Tiller, and in doing so he ensured that women could exercise their fundamental right to safe and legal abortion. NOW honors and appreciates his legacy, and we will closely monitor the developments of this case.
Watching Lawrance Odonnel on msnbc…He is ripping Liz Cheney a new one….
How she can condem ur Prsident for going to Dover Air Force Base ..She is truly as evil as her evil father…ll he ever did was stay in his underground bunker…I am so sick of these people…Sorry for rant..
If my memory serves me right, she was for it before she was against it. Anyone else see a pattern here?
The action taken by the governor in unilaterally hiring an attorney, to gather evidence on this matter does not constitute a truly independent investigation and ignores the clear procedures set out in the Ethics Act for allegations of this kind…Having a lawyer hired by the governor attempt to investigate…is not only not an ‘independent’ investigation; it presents impossible conflicts of interest in the investigation itself…Because [the attorney] was hired by the Governor, he owes him a duty of loyalty and confidentiality. The current investigation by [the Governor’s attorney] ignores this law and is not truly independent. Alaska deserves better.”
–Sarah Palin, December 10th, 2004
@Shadow’s Heart, here’s what I just found online about Mr. Schroeder’s sad death. The initial autopsy results show he died of “natural causes.”
NEWTON —Retired U.S. marshal Richard Schroeder died of natural causes outside his Newton home, authorities said this afternoon.
Newton police initially labeled Schroeder’s death suspicious, but they said the initial results of an autopsy have allowed them to rule out the possibility of foul play.
Read more: http://www.kansas.com/934/story/1034187.html?storylink=omni_popular#ixzz...
BuffGal@104: “Mark my words – tomorrow is the game changer! Tune in to hear common sense solutions that bury the false accusations that conscientious members of Congress have no solutions to meet America’s health care challenges. ”
* ** * * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** *
Tune in? Tune in where? What frequency? What radio dial? What in the name of heaven are you talking about? Speak plainly, woman! WHERE CAN I LISTEN TO/READ BOENER”S SPEECH TOMORROW AND AT WHAT TIME?
Oh, not passing along that information? Guess the message is less important than people coming to your site for the traffic, $$$.
Wow…I’m feeling a bit misty looking at that amazingly gorgeous quilt! And just a tiny (okay, not so tiny!) bit jealous of the talented (and lovingly sneaky) mudpups who created it. A well-deserved gift to someone who puts her heart and soul into this blog.
AKM – a suggestion: Since it’s such a beautiful reminder of the gifted and caring community brought together by the gifted and caring YOU, maybe you could post a single square somewhere on the home page every day, in a rotation, so that we can be continually reminded of how special these ‘flats’ have become!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/30/dog-spends-62-while-owner_n_339998.html
Hey, AKM & other mudpups with pups! Hide your credit card & remote controls!
Dog Spends $62 While Owners Sleep (VIDEO)
A chewed remote control, a dog, and $62.50 less in the bank account. For Greg Stroke, this could only mean one thing: his dog had purchased 5,000 Xbox points — worth $62 — while he and his girlfriend were asleep. Stroke saved his credit card information on his remote control to make it easier to buy video games using Microsoft Xbox points — so easy, in fact, that a dog could do it. When the dog chewed the remote, the points were bought. “i just wish they’d make it a little harder to purchase points,” Stroke lamented.
- – - – - – - – - – -
As for the quilt – gorgeous! Can I cyber-borrow it? Down & out (3rd day) with a nasty sinus infection/cough…not aches, so not the flu.
112 terpsichore Says: October 30th, 2009 at 4:20 PM
BuffGal@104: “Mark my words – tomorrow is the game changer! Tune in to hear common sense solutions that bury the false accusations that conscientious members of Congress have no solutions to meet America’s health care challenges. ”
* ** * * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** *
Tune in? Tune in where? What frequency?
Can’t help channeling Dan Rather/REM “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?” much ado from 1990′s….
#83 terpsichore -
I, the California-born American, spent two years of my college career studying abroad (one in York, England, and one in Glasgow, Scotland), and learned that lots of words didn’t mean the same over there as they do here.
~~~~~~~~~~
I experienced the same thing in six years of annual trips to Ireland back in the ’90s. I used to bring groups of kids over there each year and was rather startled the first time one of the locals enthusiastically informed me that we were going to have “some good crack” that night! Fortunately, one of my Irish friends explained that it meant ‘fun’, not the kind of crack I would have a hard time explaining to parents when I brought their kiddies back home again!
Ain’t it amazing that we technically speak the same language but it comes out all sorts of different when there’s an ocean in between!
That quilt is just amazing. There are some very creative and thoughtful members of this community. Great job to all of you who were a part! I don’t sew but I do know that quilting is a labor of love and true art.
On another subject, Liz Cheney is in the cross-hairs tonight with Rachel and Lawrence and deservedly so. I’m so tired of how the right wing spins everything so negatively.
Gasp! Fox poll blames…Bush???
http://washingtonindependent.com/65841/fox-news-poll-most-blame-bush-for-economy
Hmmm…
PS: Snoskred/AKM/moderators – I made a boo-boo with my e-mail addy, so 2 posts are in moderation on this thread (4:28p and 4:31p). I’m blaming it too much NightQuil and too much cough syrup…that’s my story, and I;m sticking to it!
INCREDIBLE!!!! AMAZING!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!. Truly uplifting how a group of the mudflatters so artfully conveyed that gratefulness and joy of this community.
AKM, congratulations on a well deserved recognition.
&
Thank you.
seems that sp’s fb works just fine. still stoopid. Read Boner’s address for tomorrow….the ‘game changer’. What he demands is exactly what the bill in the house now includes. He’s going to try to make it look like his effort. Like we don’t have records of whats been going on and the intelligence to remember the GOP ‘effort’
http://gopleader.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=152439
Extremely fine effort by the quilters.
Your quilt is amazing. As a quilter for the past 30+ years I can tell you a quilter never ceases to be entralled by the work of other quilters. For anyone not familiar with the quilting community please let me enlighten you to the generousity of these artisans. Quilters congregate in guilds, churches and informal sewing groups. They make quilts for every philanthropic group you can think of–children with cancer, abused women and children, wounded vets, soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, for victims of natural disasters, for those who have lost their homes to fire, homeless people, seniors in convalescent facilities, and so many more I couldn’t list them all here. We love our craft and are only too happy to share that love with others in the form of something to give warmth and comfort. I hope you wrap your quilt around yourself on your cold winter days. I visit my son in Anchorage every year and can only say I love your city, even the fascinating political scene!
I think we will never have to refer to that wonderful creation as anything other than, “THAT QUILT”.
As someone with no artistic talent, but a great appreciation in the gift others were given, all I can say is, WOW! OMG!
AKM you are one lucky puppy.
What a beautiful quilt.I have made a few ,years ago saving pieces from old cloths from family members.It took quite awhile to finish but I did it and used it as a throw on my couch.After that I only made ones for babies.Takes a lot of time and effort to make a full one so AKM the mudpups have shown how much you mean to all of us..To all who worked on the quilt Good Job.
Several of the other sites are talking of Levi going to court over visitation with his son and many are worked up Palin being in the courtroom and having too much influence, etc. I posted the following statement over at IM. I expect Levi’s attorney will try to work things out privately.
Before anyone rushes into court, there are other steps that are normally taken. The first is negotiations that take place between Levi’s attorney and Bristol’s attorney. There could be quite a bit of back and forth until an agreement is ironed out as to frequency, location, duration, etc. of the visits, including holidays; plus alimony and/or child support.
Once an agreement between the two parties is reached (providing they do finally agree) then the document is filed with the court system. It becomes part of legal public record in some states.
If there is no equitable agreement arrived at, then the next option could be going to court. Most cases of this nature are held in the Family Court and are normally restricted to the people immediately involved.
If there is an agreement reached and that document recorded with the Court, there would be no need for an actual hearing in front of any judge………..unless, or until, one or the other broke the agreement. For example, if Bristol chose to disallow Levi to take the child on assigned date(s), or if Levi failed to make the agreed upon payments, or if Levi failed to take the child when it was his visitation time, or if Levi or Bristol felt the child was in some sort of emotional or physical danger with the other parent. The list goes on and on of possible scenarios under which they could eventually end up in court, but I don’t see them going to court anytime soon without going through the normal preliminary steps of negotiating an agreement.
GreatGranny2C I have been reading a book by Frank Schaeffer,crazy for God.He talks about his preacher mom and dad and how they took in hippies, gay people ect and were very accepting of them back then and Pat Roberson is mentioned as visiting their place many times and staying for long periods of time,so what in the world is he complaining about.
As for the palin thing in Milwaukee,if someone had commented it is already down and if I did not already have breathing problems I would be out there with them.Maybe they are just trying to get people to come by saying that.sounds like a begathon because they don’t have enough people.Southeaster WI is not really a good area for this kind of thing.Maybe middle WI. might be
the quilt is heartwarming!
So is this analysis over at 538 on $P’s chances for 2012
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/10/palin-will-not-run-for-president-in-12.html
Ya know I guess I had hopes that Bristol would see the light and get out from under,but I guess not.I would think the most would be child support but even if a father does not pay you cannot legally stop them from seeing their child just because of that.At least not in my state.Since they were never married alimony is a moot point and if Bristol is making just as much as Levi they take that into consideration.One thing it would do is stop her from moving out of state on a whim or her mothers say so.I feel sorry for the young man having to put up with not only the palins but the heaths also.I think if left alone Bristol would let him see the child .I think her mother is pushing her.
jojobo1 @122 –
I’ve started reading Schaeffer’s book also. It is amazing how people change so radically over a period of time. As you mentioned of his parents accepting and trying to work with others, it seemed to be the thing to do for some religious groups in the 60s and 70s, then suddenly they reversed direction and one wonder’s why – is it the inate weakness in some that they simply follow the crowd?
It’s funny that the Wisconsin group has already taken their site down – maybe they didn’t realize they were actually ENCOURAGING people to show up in opposition.
As for Bristol being under her mother’s thumb, we see that far too often when the parent is a strong and intimidating person. If Bristol was to try to make it on her own, she probably wouldn’t have the comfortable lifestyle she currently has. As to income for either Levi or Bristol, one would hope they are banking some of the money and setting up some sort of fund for their son. So many of those new to celebrity and money p-ss it away as fast as it comes in and they have nothing for a rainy day.
Bristol is still young and possibly a bit immature. Age and motherhood has nothing to do with emotional development and she seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
That is certainly one disfunctional family! Sarah is such a selfish person, she hasn’t a clue the damage she is doing to her entire family.
Wow. I’m a quilter and I had no idea a project like this was in the works.
Well, I probably would have violated the rules anyway. I always seem to find a way to stretch the guidelines to the breaking point.
Really great quilt.
I can’t wait for the future installments of closeups of the other blocks and for the participants to reveal themselves. The stories behind the quilt blocks are part of the special magic of quilt projects like this.
AKM, here’s a good way to hang a quilt: Buy a set of those little metal clips designed to hang curtains from a rod. One end is a clip and the other end is a circle. Just clip 5 or 6 of them to the top of the quilt, spacing them evenly across the top. Then pound a set of small nails in the wall, spaced at the same intervals. Drop the circles over the nails and voila! Looks really nice and costs next to nothing.
Thank you to all the Mud Puppies who contributed to that fantastic quilt. AKM…..you are loved by all of us! ;0) BooBooBear
wow, listen to this……..between Tank and Fagan. Fagan, I think is fleeced by how outrageous the possibility could be. I’m not.
http://www.thealaskastandard.com/sites/default/files/media/Tank%20on%20Levi.mp3
Absolutely gorgeous quilt! What makes it so special is all the details on it! Cant wait to see more squares!
You guys are so talented!
I am so excited to see the photo of the final product. I did play a small part in it, in that I signed a couple of squares, and mailed mine back to Quince at the VERY last minute. She was so gracious and forgiving of my lateness, in addition to being enormously talented and patient.
I’m not sure of all the details, but I do know Quince actually was the one who made many of the squares, in addition to conceiving the whole project, organizing it, and then putting the whole gorgeous thing together.
QUINCE IS AMAZING!!!!
And so are you, AKM – so glad you love the quilt!