December 14th, 2006 at 19:37 pm
Every year this circulates, an internet search will bring up many ways it might have begun, but it does not really matter – because from the beginning, there have always been heros who could not be with their loved one at some holiday season.
Musical commentary at the end
Hold Them all In Your Heart
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps.”
With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
“Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!
December 14th, 2006 at 19:22 pm
Ohio State Highway Division
*JFG = Just For Giggles
December 14th, 2006 at 19:14 pm
We have a circle of friends who enjoy sharing a bit of inspiration and humor or just plain good thoughts. It is how we let each other know that even if we don’t have much news, we hold them in our thoughts. We send each other jokes, poems, and often slightly distorted humor.
I won’t promise this series will be completely g-rated, and you may not agree with the political commentary from time to time, but that is okay.
So for all those who understand DVC, hope you enjoy these notes – at least I’m not sending chain mail
Peace of the Season
Wheat
December 13th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
When I read on the Skeins list of Randi Nelson’s accident, my first thought was OUCH, that sounds like something I would have done
And, I had all to clear memories of how painful, frustrating & worst of all Boring, the recovery from this type of injury (a drunk driver ran over my motorcycle).
Then I thought, what better time to revisit ways she can market “on-line” – for someone with Randi’s wit and writing, blogging is going to be a “natural”, so I thought I’d share the link and you can learn more about Randi’s World In Stitches
and have a chance to leave her your get well wishes.
Peace of the Season
Wheat
P.S. JFG (Just for Giggles) If you want to hear the music that kept playing in my head as I read her story the first time, find a clip of Grandma Got Run Over By Raindeer
December 13th, 2006 at 09:10 am
Keeping in mind that we are talking about the tasks that support the designer, most people do not realize there is a huge difference between creating a design and writing the instructions.
In fact, often times the original designer does not make any more than a swatch or a block before the project is handed off to the Pattern Writer.
Who is the Pattern Writer? It can be the designer (and sometimes that is where the process starts) or it can be someone handed a finished item, and asked to “reverse engineer” the project. Or my personal favorite is to start with the Designer Notes & The Garment and “go from there”. Or it can be just the concept, crocquis and swatch/block.
What is the primary responsibility of the Pattern Writer? It is the job of the pattern writer to ensure that the list of steps, and the explanation of each step is written in a clear concise manner, using standard abbreviations where ever possible according to the format dictated by the publisher.
What are the requirements to be a pattern writer? That’s pretty simple, whatever the craft or type of needlework. you must:
- well grounded in the technique and tools,
- have the ability to pay extreme attention to detail.
- need to be something of a perfectionist
- be able to balance perfection with deadline orientation
For those writing for garments, you really need to know how to do sizing, because it is not just about adding inches.
And the Golden Rule?
The work you produce must enable the average consumer to complete the project without undue heartache.
Your comments and questions are welcomed.
Wheat
P.S. To read more posts in this series, select the category
It Is All Just Business
from the side bar or Search for Designer Resources
