I recently found an unusual needlepoint pattern by a lady named Ora Mae Harding who passed away in 2009. For several years she designed needlework and took great pleasure in working with color and texture. Well, this pattern was a delightful poem titled Louisiana Gumbo, written by one C.H. Dillemuth. From the name you might think it's a recipe... but it's not the kind you cook. This one represents the "Gumbo" of nationalities that call Louisiana home.
Well... I listed this Needlepoint pattern in my store. Shortly after that, Charles Dillemuth's granddaughter was researching her family history and stumbled across the needlepoint pattern. We exchanged several delightful emails and the needlepoint pattern is now hers. She was completely unaware that her grandfathers poem had been reborn as a needlework pattern and now she's trying to see if anyone in her family knew the lady who did the needlework. She sent me a copy of the original poem along with the photo of her grandfather that you see here. I asked if I could share the story. She said her grandfather who passed away in 1989 would have gotten a kick out of it!!________________________________________
LOUISIANA GUMBO
A Recipe
by C.H. Dillemuth
A Recipe
by C.H. Dillemuth
Base Stock: Start with fifty tepees of 100% Americans (Choctaw, Natchez, Houmas, Chickasaws, or other long forgotten ones).
Now drop in 10 canoes of French explorers.
Add 17 schooners of Spanish settlers.
Pitch in a few frigates of Portuguese pirates (with some Canary Islanders).
Now add all the lost and wandering Cajuns (absolutely essential for the proper flavor).
Dump in assorted Germans, Alsations, Italians, Hungarians, Swiss and Swedes.
Now thicken the broth with the cream of African tribes (Congolese, Nigerians, Swahili and more).
Don't forget, add one can each of Kentucky riflemen, Tennessee woodsmen, and some fighting Irish.
Pour in a flock of Mississippi Rednecks (they are still pouring in).
If desired, stir in a few Texans and assorted Western cowboys - their hot air will keep the pot bubbling.
And for an extra touch of flavor, ladle in some Lebanese, sprinkle in a few Syrians, spoon in some Latin Americans, and round out with some homeless Sephardic Jews seeking a permanent hearth.
Now garnish with Damn-Yankees who have sense enough to leave the snow behind and you wind up with
Uncle Sam's best dish
LOUISIANA GUMBO
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Come visit me at Stone Hill Collectibles... You never know but what there might be a few family memories of your own hidden on the shelves... perhaps Moms recipe in a cookbook... a place remembered on a postcard... or perhaps even the crochet pattern for that beautiful heirloom afghan that your grandmother stitched.... And if you make a "connection" of your own that you'd like to share? Just let me know!
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Here's the original poem on the left with the Needlepoint pattern on the right
________________________________________Come visit me at Stone Hill Collectibles... You never know but what there might be a few family memories of your own hidden on the shelves... perhaps Moms recipe in a cookbook... a place remembered on a postcard... or perhaps even the crochet pattern for that beautiful heirloom afghan that your grandmother stitched.... And if you make a "connection" of your own that you'd like to share? Just let me know!
