Hobo Quilts...

I thought you might like to know more about the Hobo Quilts book I have. Debra G. Henninger is the author, and it's a book brimful of designs and delightful stories. I've had it for a while, but have yet to start making blocks from it. I first wrote about this book HERE in 2011.

This is her design for the "Kind-Hearted (Woman) Lady" in her book. She refers to hobos as the "Knights of the Road", and there's a short tale to go with each block, along with photos from those bygone days. There are 55 blocks in the book, as well as patterns for assembling the blocks you create.

Here's the story she included for her "Kind-Hearted Lady" block. The hobos would simply draw the symbols on the gate posts or fences as a signal to other travelers whether or not the inhabitant of the house were friend or foe. There were symbols like "Bad Tempered Owner", "Catch Trolley Here", and "Doctor, No Charge". Whether or not I ever make any of the blocks, it's a unique look into our history. You might find it as interesting as I did.

Tuesdays With Tag - Another Squatter...

 Hi Everybody!

Well, it appears we have yet another short-term resident here at the farmhouse. Yep. He's already got a name, too. Meet Trevor.

Yesterday mornin' Mom went out to feed Claudette and Crystal, when she heard a new meow. She turned around to see the girls hissin' and spittin' and growlin' at this cat. He's skinny, and so hungry that he trotted right past the tag team to their food. Mom had an extra can of wet food in her hands, so she put it down for him. He was ravenously hungry. 

The girls wanted to clean his clock, so Mom intervened to avoid feline fisticuffs. She also noticed that he had a nasty wound on his back end, and wondered just what sort of creature had hurt him. She fed the girls their own food, and sprung into action. She ran out to the barn and got the cat carrier, and as soon as he took a break from the chow, she covered him with a towel (she didn't want to get scratched or worse if he didn't like her plan), and he just cuddled into her. She placed him, and the remainin' food into the carrier with plans to take him to the rescue so a vet could see him. (They didn't open until noon.)

She covered the carrier with a blanket to warm him up, and the little guy drifted right off to sleep. At noon, she put him in her Explorer and drove to town. She found out there was "no room at the inn", but they did scan him to see if he had a chip (no), and checked out his wound. Our shelter friend said it was already healin' well, but we could swab some Neosporin™ on it to help it along.

Mom headed back home, and as long as she had her fingers in the carrier door, Trevor leaned on them, and went back to sleep. Even bein' in a car didn't bother him! She made a bunch of calls and sent messages to see if anyone would love to be a new cat mom, but no luck yesterday. She put up a post on FB and has her fingers crossed. 

When they got back home, she pulled in the garage and he was still sleepin' so she just left him there. We think he was havin' the first safe sleep he'd had in some time. 

About an hour later, Mom went back to her car, opened the carrier and Trevor came out, crawled on her lap, started purrin' and went right back to sleep. She stayed there with him for almost three hours. He ate some more, and she gave him water, too.

She put him in the carrier and took him to the barn. When she showed him the litter box, he used it, and crawled right back into the carrier. Last night he slept in the back hallway in his carrier, and Mom will keep tryin' to find a forever home for him.

The lady at the shelter said she should be able to take him in two weeks from now, and he's scheduled for nooterin', rabies shot and a good goin' over. Then he can be adopted out. Truthfully, though...Mom would like to find someone herself who will take him in and give him a forever, lovin' home. We think he deserves that much. He's so dang sweet. I'm mean, look at that face!

This is a hobo sign for a kind-hearted woman. Mom used to have a sign like this, but gave it to a dear friend decades ago. She'd really like one to put on the front porch, but it seems that the cats already know it and are spreadin' the word. We all think we're pretty lucky to be sharin' her with the less fortunate, and we're not givin' up on findin' that home for Trevor.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

A Kind-Hearted Woman...

Many years ago, when I owned Stitches (my needlework shop in Wisconsin) I had this sign on the wall. When I closed my shop, my dear friend Laura asked for it and I was pleased to be able to give it to her. She is, indeed, a kind-hearted woman.

The story is that when hobos traveled along the railroad, they would leave simple drawings for each other as a form of communication. Sometimes these messages could be found on fences, buildings or even on sidewalks.

Today, I happened to see this sign on a wall, featuring many hobo drawings of yesteryear and their meanings and it reminded me of that plaque from years ago. In case you have trouble reading what it says under each image, I'll help you out. (Of course, you can click on it to make it larger, too!)

From left to right:
Top row: Free Telephone, There's no use going this way, Ill-tempered man lives here, Go this way, Keep quiet, A judge lives here, Doctor here won't charge, This is not a safe place, and Barking dog here.
Second Row: An officer of the law lives here, Owners will give to get rid of you, Crime committed here. Not safe, Good place to catch a train, Kind woman lives here. Tell a pitiful story, Trolley stop, There is nothing to be gained here, Bad water and These people are rich.
Third Row: The sky's the limit, Good place for a handout, There are thieves about, Road spoiled. Fill of other hobos, The owner is in, This is a well-guarded house, Man with a gun lives here, Hit the road and You can camp here.
Fourth Row: This owner is out, Doubtful, Authorities here are alert, Good road to follow, A kind lady lives here, Alcohol in this town, Halt, Fresh water/safe campsite and Police here frown on hobos.
Bottom Row: Jail or prison, Dangerous neighborhood, Ok/alright, Hold your tongue, Religious talk will get you a meal here, Be ready to defend yourself, Vicious dog here, Courthouse and A kind gentlemen lives here.

I love the simplicity of the drawings, and I'm thinking I might have an idea for what to do with them. I'll show you more as I begin working on my idea. What do you think you could do with them? Any ideas?
Donna