Norma Jean Peterson
Laura Earls

Matagorda County

Looking through the window, I could see that they were outside. "Yes, you may go out if you stay in the yard where I can see you." I ran to the porch next door where the lady of the house and her caretaker were working on their embroidery. The pretty, little scraps went into my pocket.
All of the houses I knew had one of these strange tables that you sit in front of and rock your feet back and forth. It was where the dresses went after someone said, "Oh dear, your dress is ripped." They always reappeared mysteriously fixed.
At seven, the Girl Scouts were going to work on a sewing project. I finally got to use that treadle sewing machine to make a navy blue, A-line skirt with a zipper.
Needles have always been something I needed to figure out and master.