The mind ought sometimes to be diverted

Saturday was a beautiful late summer day, and blessedly not too hot, as I headed over to Roswell's Bulloch Hall to view an sampler exhibit presented by the Magnolia Sampler Guild.

This Greek Revival mansion was the childhood home of Mittie Bulloch Roosevelt, mother of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., 26th President of the United States.


Almost 150 stitched pieces were on display, including some antique pieces, many stitched reproductions, and some lovely stitching accessories - all displayed among the period furnishings.



Reproducing antique samplers has never really been my particular stringplay interest, but I enjoy seeing almost any kind of needlework well done and this group excels. I'm always impressed at the complexity and the fine detail of the pieces. The one photo here doesn't really do the exhibit justice, it was just a quick one made in the upstairs sewing room which was devoted to patriotic pieces.

I left out for Roswell really dreading the drive and the Saturday traffic, but as I exited the exhibit, I was conscious of such a feeling of calmness, relaxation, and peace. I was so glad I went.


Before getting back in my car, I took a quick walk through the adjacent garden.

And among the notes I made in my exhibit brochure was this verse I copied from one of the samplers:

The mind ought sometimes to be diverted
that it may return the better to thinking.

Amen!