Apart from the category How Words Play, I suppose that I like to
publish on the theme of Women’s Work within the 25 Pins in
a Packet category most. I decided that I would publish the archive
link in here along with a short note on the category itself.
I like unusual books, not specifically those that are rare or antique but books full
of interest especially when the author is passionate about his theme, in many ways
I consider myself fortunate to live amongst bibliophiles and collectors because
there is always something in the library , the books proliferate at an alarming pace,
be it through gift , loan or purchase. The Kerlie in discussion herein is a hard cover
book on the theme of walking the religious sites in France, prinicpally in the Alsace
Lorraine region and they take in a wide variety of history to boot.
Unfortunately I do not have the book to hand and cannot find its isbn, publication
date or full tile and will thus add it into the comment section here when I can take
the necessary notes. The actual 25 pins in a Packet were a prize given by the
abbesses at Remiremont (founded in 620 by Romaric ) which boasted all sorts of
interesting theological curiousities but uppermost were some hairs purporting to
be from the Virgin Mary, each year the Abbesses held a singing contest during
an annual celebratory fete in which the prize was indeed the aforementioned pins.
The pins were treasured items but they are also symbolic of the work of women,
which is often hard and sometimes not so good- I thought to explore this theme
through the conceit of Penelope, Arachne, the women of the harem and the women
of enclosed communities, right down to the Anchorite who is the ultimate soloist.
Poethead is scattered with women’s work which in the grand scheme of things is
often not honoured and not very well rewarded.
I am republishing here Jo kerr’s Poem, A Sampler.
Archive for 25 Pins in a Packets
Shrines in Alsace-Lorraine, E Marianne H M’Kerlie, Sands and Company 1918
