For a long time I have been collecting the intriguing English language words, phrases and stories that came to us originally from textile sources. You could call it my words rag bag. We stitchers are notorious for hoarding bits of fabric and thread, always promising to create some wonderful quilt or embroidery from these fragments. I have, at last, made something tangible from the contents of my writers rag bag and I hope you will enjoy reading Rigmaroles and Ragamuffins as much as I have enjoyed piecing it together. Elinor Kapp.