"Waste Not, Want Not" - Using Rags to Make Rugs by Jo-Ann Roberts

 

"As I sat stripping, stripping away, making my carpet of rags to-day. Shredding up garments all worn and old, which once had sheltered from heat and cold. The loves of the household, in bygone times. When they were new, and in their prime...I touched not a garment but brought to mind some pleasure or pain long left behind..." 

                                                                       Frances Dana Gage, Rag-carpet Rhymes, 1867 

Many cultures have found ways of recycling old clothes into beautiful rugs. However, because homesteaders didn't have the time or inclination to record the details of domestic crafts, we knew very little about the craft before 1800. Even when we hear about old rugs, they most likely were a bed rug or coverlet. It's unclear when people started to think of them primarily as floor coverings.

Not only is there little evidence about the origins of rag rug-making, but there aren't any really old rugs of this type surviving. They weren't precious textiles hung on a wall. They were used, worn out, and disposed of.

Rag rugs took off in the 19th century with the machine production of cloth. Spinning and weaving were no longer hand crafts. Fabric was produced in much greater quantities than before.  The use of wood pulp instead of cotton rags for papermaking also helped make more used clothing available for rug making. There certainly were floor coverings made of cloth scraps before the Industrial Revolution. One of the cheapest kinds of carpeting in the 18th century was "list carpet," woven from selvedges (called lists) and other leftovers. The rag strips were woven on a yarn warp.

"...Every conceivable kind of woollen cloth was cut into little shreds about half an inch wide and one inch long. These were all joined together, lengthwise, and then wound into balls. Children did much of the work, joining the pieces together to create hundreds of yards of woollen bands. These were then woven into a coarse carpet, a mottle of all colors, not at all unpleasing to the eye."   Mary Botham Howitt, Our Cousins in Ohio, 1849

Another way of using sewn-together strips was to coil them round and stitch the coils together as you go. Braiding the strips adds sed strength and texture. American county fairs and other exhibitions in the 19th century displayed rag rugs, and sometimes rag carpets, too. The rugs were always made by women, the carpets often by men. 

Women had many ways of recycling old garments and turning scraps into useful objects. Though it's rare to find a description of their work in print--records of county fairs just mention who won a small cash prize or when a commendation was awarded. Occasionally, the records confirm that women used techniques other than weaving or coiling scraps, such as weaving rag strips through a canvas backing.

In American homesteads, rag strips were mostly threaded through gaps in cheap jute sacking or feed sacks from the upper side, producing a "hooked" rag rug.

Rag rugs would generally stand up to being washed in a tub if they were small enough. Bigger ones would be rinsed through in a creek or stream during the summer. In winter, the women would spread them atop the snow, sprinkle more snow on top, then hang them to dry.

 

Rag rugs have always been the specialty of women living in rural areas or on the frontier. The rugs haven't really ever been recognized or appreciated by the needlework "elite". In fact, they have more often than not been snubbed as not worthy of attention. So there really is only the sketchiest history available for most types of rag rugs. 

"Let us see how a careful settler's wife will contrive out of worn-out garments...to make a warm, durable, and very respectable covering for the floor of her log parlour, staircase, and bedroom...what was she going to do with a basket of faded, ragged clothes, old red flannel shirt, and pieces of all sorts and sizes, some old, some new, some linen and cotton, others woollen?...a very respectable rug to grace the rough-hewn floor of her snug farmer's house."    Peter Lund Simmons, 1862

Releasing May 30th!

An outlaw looking for a fresh start.
A schoolteacher who might hold the key to the entire town’s salvation.
Ash “Shotgun” McCrae can never make up for all the wrong he’s done. After leaving a notorious outlaw gang, he thought he’d discovered the peaceful existence he’d been looking for when he found work laying tracks for the railroad in Rivers Bend. Yet, when trouble shows up in town, he fears he may never free himself from the burden of his past.

Schoolteacher Kate Cummings stands as the one bright light in contrast to the curious looks and behind-the-glove whispers blowing through the town. The arrival of Padraic “Patch” Rooney and his gang challenges the small-town serenity she holds dear. Still, her steadfast trust in Ash awakens the strength of courage within them all, giving rise to the collective defiance against the approaching danger.

In a deadly game of dangerous outlaws and secret schemes, Kate and Ash must decide whether they are willing to risk everything for their love, including their lives.

Pre-Order Link

 

Mr. Mills

 Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

Like many in the 19th and early 20th century, Enos Mills, born in Kansas in 1870, made his home in Colorado.

At the age of fifteen, he climbed Long's Peak, a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado, during one of his early trips to the Estes Park area. During his life, he soloed the peak forty times and guided others another three hundred. He also wrote several books about the area and wildlife.

Recovering his health, Mills traveled extensively until 1902, when he returned to Colorado and settled near Longs Peak. During his travels, he encountered the naturalist John Muir, who changed the course of his life.

Enos Mills
photo from Wikipedia

Mills dedicated the remainder of his life to preserving the land around Longs Peak. At one point, it was said he wanted to preserve the area from Longs Peak to Pikes Peak, encompassing over 100 miles. With the help of groups like the Sierra Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, he did accomplish the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915.

In my upcoming book, Isabella, Mr. Mills makes an appearance. The story will be available in October.

Until next time,

Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

Faith, Family and Friends- A Simpler Time

By Kimberly Grist

I recently read with interest that Netflix, in collaboration with Friendly Family Productions, announced an upcoming series based on my childhood favorite, the Little House on the Prairie books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I was thrilled to hear about the new series and hope it honors this brave pioneer family, during an era when faith, family, and caring for neighbors felt as natural as breathing.

While researching pioneer life, I took a trip to Callaway Gardens and reflecting on my own experiences growing up in the 1960s came to mind. Although my childhood home was not as rustic as the Ingalls family's log cabin lit by oil lamps, there were some similarities in our daily lives.


The above photo is of a two-room cabin at Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. It was constructed of longleaf pine and occupied for over a century.This front porch brings back memories of lingering outside on summer nights, counting the stars, and watching and chasing fireflies.

Making the Most Out of the Space
The photo above illustrates how the front porch could have been used for drying herbs. Every inch of space on the homestead was utilized effectively, so it’s likely that the front porch also served as a sleeping area.

The More, the Merrier

Although it was slightly larger than the Ingalls family home, the cabin, built in the 1830s, accommodated many families, including one with 15 members. In 1959, it was relocated from Troup County to Callaway Gardens. As I toured the cabin, I imagined the simple meals and lively conversations that took place there, which I believe were far more meaningful than today’s texting.

The main living area of the two-room cabin at Callaway Gardens features a single room that serves as both the living room and the parents' bedroom. In the right-hand corner, there is a doorway leading to a loft space.

The design is simple: the downstairs area functions as the primary living room and bedroom, likely intended for the parents. The doorway to the additional loft space is conveniently located in the right-hand corner.

Our tour guide joked that the hard work needed for survival left people so exhausted that even a thin mattress couldn't disrupt their sleep.

Simpler Times 

Reflecting on my childhood, some of my fondest memories were growing up in a modest-sized home not meant to house seven children. We shared meals together and squeezed onto benches like the ones pictured above to make room for a new sibling or friend at dinner. I rarely remember a restless night. After school, my brothers and I delivered newspapers. We rode our bicycles and played "King of the Hill," Red-light, Green-light, and Hide-and-Seek. Like the child who may have once slept here, we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. 

Nostalgia often skews our perception of reality. Like many of you, I appreciate the modern conveniences we have today, but there is something uniquely special about those memories of the past. If I could turn back the clock, I would like to think that I would have a greater appreciation for simpler times. What about you?

Coming Soon: Mail-Order Mix-Up Collection 

Available at a Special Pre-Order Price of 99 Cents

One of the most delightful aspects of writing is how secondary characters can unexpectedly come to life, eager to tell their own stories. In this captivating collection, courageous mail-order brides embark on transformative journeys, driven by the hope of love and a brighter future. Their grooms are men from the fictional town of Tylerville, Texas, where faith, family, and caring for one's neighbor are as natural as breathing.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SCV9Y7

Where Does My Female Character Fit In the Family? by Zina Abbott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the challenges of staying on track while working on the computer is avoiding the time-wasters. Some I have struggled with through the years have been emails, Pinterest, and Facebook. My latest (thanks, but no thanks, A.I. and targeted marketing) are the articles that pop up when I click on a browser. I try to ignore them. However when one catches my interest, I decide it is time for a "break," and I read.

That was how I came across the article titled

Eldest Daughter Syndrome: What It Is And 12 Signs ToLook For, According To Experts

This caught my interest for two reasons. 

First, I am an oldest child and an eldest daughter. Did I recognize myself in some of the common traits listed? Oh, yeah.

Second, the heroine in my current work in progress, Sue, is an eldest daughter. As I reread some of the interactions between her and her mother in the first chapter, I realized had it down pat how to depict an oldest daughter. Here are a few excerpts:

"...I suspect he is looking for a milkmaid as much as a wife. It’s one thing to milk one cow for a family’s personal use. But, a whole barn full of cows that need milking twice a day?” Puffing a breath through almost closed lips, she raised her gaze to the ceiling.

            “You’ve never complained, so I had no idea you felt that way about milking the cow...." 

and (speaking of when her stepsister, Lucy, lived with the family):

"...Before she took over all the teaching duties, we mothers were taking turns having the local children at our houses. After she took over, I noticed you gradually became less of a student and more of an assistant teacher.”

and again:

"...But, at least I had my own room. I was the oldest, and I knew you counted on my help. That helped me feel special.”

            “You have always been special, Susan. I hope you never felt like I ignored you or took you for granted..."

"That never meant we forgot you, Susan. You were our constant in the storms of life. When more was required to take care of this family than what your Papa Jack and I could do alone, we knew we could always count on you to pitch in.”  

            “Thank you for saying so, Mama.” Lips parted, Susan jerked her gaze to the side as she allowed her mother’s words to sink in. Our constant in the storms of life. As much as she loved copying her mother’s ways and following in her footsteps, she never realized that was how her mother and Papa Jack saw her...."

What characteristics can often be seen in an eldest daughter?

 - She is given more responsibilities than younger siblings.

 - She learns to anticipate what her parents will expect, and she organizes things in advance in order not to disappoint them. "A place for everything, and everything in its place."

 - She is expected to set a good example for both behavior and accomplishments.

Older sister cares for brother while mother away

 -  She is expected to do more household chores and sibling childcare than expected of younger siblings. She tends to be assigned the more difficult or unpleasant tasks compared to her siblings.

  -  She is expected to help manage the emotional well-being of younger siblings, to be responsible to "keep the peace," regardless of whether or not the younger siblings are willing to cooperate.

 - Because parents tend to have higher expectations of their eldest daughter, she can often experience anxiety, guilt, or frustration when she does not or cannot meet those expectations. 

Children whose birth order falls elsewhere have other challenges and characteristics. 

A middle child or children do not feel under as much pressure as the eldest daughter. However, they often feel overlooked, which can lead to acts of rebellion.

Youngest children are not under the same pressure to help take care of younger siblings. They tend to be more outgoing, playful, creative, and independent. By the time they come along, parents are not as rigid--they have learned what works and what doesn't. Parents are older and often have less energy, so younger siblings get away with things more easily.

 

Sue, book 55 in the Prairie Roses Collection, is currently on pre-order. It is scheduled for release on May 16, 2025.

For the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

When I reread this article, I found it interesting to realize my heroine in my last year's Prairie Roses Collection romance was also an oldest daughter. The way I wrote her character, she also exhibited eldest daughter traits, but several were different than those of her stepsister, Sue.  Right now, Lucy is on a Kindle Countdown sale. In addition to being available on Kindle Unlimited, it is for sale for only 99c through May 14, 2025.

For the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

WWI and the 78th Singing Division

 

While I was researching historical details for my book releasing May 22, one of the things I was digging around for was an American Expeditionary Forces military division that set for France in May or June 1918 during World War I.

In my story, Sarah, the hero, Brett Rawlings, and his twin brother, Ben, have run off at the tender age of 16 to join the war.

When I was looking for a division to attach the twins to when they traveled to France, I was searching for troop ships that left toward the end of May and arrived in June. The 78th Division matched the dates well, and the fact that they were based from Camp Dix in New Jersey also fit with the story because the boys are trying to set sail from New York City.

The 78th Division was known as the Lightning Division, and also the Singing Division. I found some reports that said the name came from the French for their lightning-fast action in battle, and other reports hinted about the famous brew created in the woods near the camp. If you know why and when they were named the lightning division, I’d love to learn more.

As for them being known as the singing division, from some of the reports I read, many of the members of the division had been in theater or performance-based careers before they were drafted. Some of the songs they sang included “The Shell Hole Rag,” and “Land of Romance.”

The Newark Evening News in New Jersey printed a special supplement about the division on May 29, 1919. I found a digital copy of the newspaper online, which was so helpful in my research.

I also found a book that had been written by the division’s secretary-treasurer and published in 1921. Not only was the book filled with incredible photos of the war, but it also offered a timeline of where the division was at from the time they were organized at Camp Dix in August 1917 to the day they were demobilized in June 1919.

Some of the historical details I included with the division really happened, like a visit from King George V of England in August 1918. They were also visited by General John J. Pershing twice. The first time was in September 1918, and the second was when he came to review them in 1919.

When the war ended and the 78th Division was transferred to a series of small villages, there really was an Amusement Division that did all they could to bolster the spirits of the troops and keep them busy. There were almost nightly performances by theater troupes and musicians.

Margaret Wilson, President Wilson’s daughter, did visit the camp with a group of entertainers in March 1919.

The YMCA, Red Cross, and Knights of Columbus did provide needed and appreciated services during the months as the troops waited for their turn to sail back home.

One report I happened upon, written in 1968, was a son’s journey to follow his father’s footsteps through the war by visiting France. His father had been a sergeant with the 78th Division, and he recalled listening to stories told around the kitchen table by his father and his Army buddies from World War I. There was so much detail and so many stories included in this report, it really helped me visualize Brett’s life and the things he was seeing and experiencing in France.

She desires his heart.

He longs for her love.

Can they find common ground when he returns forever altered by the war.

 In a world turned upside down by World War I, all Sarah Richards desires is to love Brett Rawlings and build a future together. After graduating high school a year early, she’s ready to dive into her dreams of college and a home filled with laughter and love. But one impulsive decision threatens all her aspirations—as well as her relationship with Brett.

 As the war rages on and men head off to fight, sixteen-year-old Brett reluctantly follows his twin brother, Ben, sneaking off to France to join the American Expeditionary Forces. As the months pass, Ben thrives amidst the chaos of battle, while Brett finds himself haunted by the girl he left behind and the uncertainty of his own heart. When Ben reveals a life-altering secret, the bond between the brothers is shattered, forcing Brett to grapple with betrayal as he faces the brutal realities of war.

 Brett returns home a changed man, burdened with memories too heavy to bear, yet yearning to mend the fractures of the past. Will Sarah still be waiting for him, or have time and truth forged an unbridgeable chasm between them?

 Find out in this heartfelt historical romance that weaves a tale of hope, grace, forgiveness, and sweet, enduring love.

Releasing May 22, you can pre-order your copy today on Amazon.

 

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.


When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.

TRAVELING FROM CALIFORNIA TO OREGON: 1800s Style by Marisa Masterson

 As I researched for my latest release, Freddy's Sudden Farm, I ran across an interesting historical figure. Henry Corbett impressed me enough to share about him.

Corbett came to Portland in 1850. There, he co-published a young newspaper--The Oregonian. Most importantly, he established a stagecoach service between California and Oregon, not a simple task. 

Mountains partially blocked the route. Facts about this stagecoach company provided the historical details I needed to move my heroine, Ann Marie, from California to Oregon.

From Freddy's Sudden Farm:

Mr. Peacock had assured her there would be room on top of the stage for the large crate. “Not many passengers this time of year. No one wants to risk the mountains.”

She understood their hesitation, having grown up near the mountains. While her hometown of Lodi lay on flat land, the mountains loomed in the distance. She knew winter could come suddenly in them. It came with a brutal ferocity that could freeze a man if it took him by surprise.

Frederick wanted a wife. Ann Marie would risk her safety and even her precious Singer sewing machine to reach him. He needed her.

Hoofbeats drew her attention toward the south. Glancing up, she saw a team of mules approaching. They pulled the tall, closed stagecoach. The vehicle rocked as it hit a rut in the track left by a recent chilly rain. 

The Concord coach, with leather straps suspending the body of the vehicle, was known for that rocking motion. Ann Marie automatically put a hand over her stomach as she watched it. She knew the next few days would challenge her resolve.  

Corbett's stage could not completely avoid the mountains. At times sleighs had to be used to complete the journey.

After three days, the coach stopped near Mount Shasta. Viewing it left Ann Marie breathless. She was glad they did not need to travel up the side of the towering peak. Seeing it, she knew they would soon be in Oregon.

First, they had to pass through part of the Cascade Mountains. These separated California and Oregon. Snow might already cover them.

The Cascades* 

The coach skirted Mount Shasta. It continued to pass foothills and follow rivers. At one point, she and the clergyman named Reverend Howard left the coach and traveled in a large sleigh. Another sleigh came behind them with the stage’s cargo. The snow and cold forced her to dig into her trunk for another sweater and her heaviest cloak. She had gladly accepted the blanket, ignoring the old mule odor wafting from it.

As the sleigh traveled lower and lower down the side of one peak, she held her breath. Ducking her head, she heard Reverend Howard mutter a prayer. At the end, she added, “Amen.” 

Hearing her, the older man’s lips stretched into a tight smile. “We will be out of these mountains soon.” 

Photo from Wikipedia

Corbett's success brought attention to him. He was made a United States senator in 1867. A very successful frontiersman.

Stagecoaches continued to travel between California and Oregon for twenty-one years. The railroad finally linked the two states in 1887. Amazing that it took so long for it to happen!

*Cascades photo borrowed from https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/s5ld2t/exploring_the_rugged_and_picturesque_north/.

Releasing Soon!

Freddy Albert dreams of escaping from his parents' farm. An advertisement by a woman in Northern California for a husband to help run her livery promises him a fresh start. As he prepares to leave home, everything changes.

Now he faces a difficult decision. Realizing he has no choice, he takes on the responsibility of running the farm and providing for his family. Unhappy, he writes to Lottie James, asking her to sell her livery. He proposes she move to Oregon and marry him.

In California, Ann Marie LeFevre cannot understand her friend's stubbornness. Despite her mail-order groom’s invitation, Lottie refuses to leave California. When her friend tosses Fred’s letters at her and tells her to marry him, Ann Marie eagerly accepts her offer. Fred will be glad for a substitute bride. She is sure of it.

However, she discovers that the young man, Freddy, who wrote those letters is very different from the mature man she expected. Sheer optimism will not make the two of them as compatible as she had hoped. And Freddy is far from willing to accept a substitute bride, especially one who is older than him and not a bit pretty.

Will Freddy’s sudden farm keep him from finding love or will he and Ann Marie discover a way to blend their hearts and lives? 

Freddy's Sudden Farm Links

US--https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT1L62ZN

UK--https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DT1L62ZN

Canada--https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DT1L62ZN

Australia--https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DT1L62ZN