The Fibers of Life

September 's Song

2010-09-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

What an interesting time of the year is September. The air changes, it's hard to describe but there is a brittleness to the evening air and the days, while hot, still tell that there is a change coming. It's one of those things that you either notice or you don't. There is no real way to explain, it just is, like a lot things.

If you work in education it means the end of summer and girding yourself up for the next three months until the next vacation, Christmas. I come from a family of in-laws who are all in education. I worked in higher ed, community college, and it means something different, whether you are faculty or support staff. Most support staff work all summer but faculty have the summer off, for the most part. I don't want to offend any friends with this.

There are really pungent memories of starting school as a kid. New clothes, new pencils, pens and now days a new backpack. I don't remember hauling anything back and forth to school but a lunch until high school. In the winter it became, coat, hat and boots. It seems like everyone went out and bought the wool skirts, all the truly fall clothes but where I grew up, September was one of the hotter months of the year. So you are sitting there just roasting, but in your new clothes because it was extremely important to wear your new clothes to the first day of school. Also new shoes and socks.

Squeaky shoes, new shoes, every kid gets some shoes.

Tie shoes, buckle shoes, flats and white buck shoes,

Brown shoes, red shoes, shiny patent leather shoes.

Sneaker shoes, high heel shoes gotta get your new shoes.

"Pardon me Roy . . .

Is that the cat that ate your new shoes? "

That's it. No shoes is bad news. Enjoy your shoes!

A Boon Companion

2010-08-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

How wonderful to have boon companions to be with along the road. I think there is a quote that talks about boon companions but I can't think of it at the moment.
Sitting down to write I often don't know where I'm going with my thoughts. So, I begin and hope that the words will come and that I'll have something worthy of saying that you may find of interest.

Definition of BOON

: benefit, favor; especially : one that is given in answer to a request

: a timely benefit : blessing

What an interesting word! I think a "boon companion has been provided to me many times." Benefit, favor a companion to walk beside you during journeys joyful and agonizing, and in answer to a request. How many times have you expressed the desire for a friend, someone to walk with you through a diffcult time and they have been provided.

¹com·pan·ion

noun, often attributive \kəm-ˈpan-yən\

Definition of COMPANION

: one that accompanies another : comrade, associate; also : one that keeps company with another

obsolete : rascal

a : one that is closely connected with something similar b : one employed to live with and serve another

: a celestial body that appears close to another but that may or may not be associated with it in space

I believe the combination of boon and companion tells of a deep and sometimes temporary bringing together of people to walk a path. One such instance has arisen in my life recently that has caused me to meditate on these words. A friend and dear lady and her husband have received news that he has pancreatic cancer with but a short time to live. My prayer and hope is that I can be a boon companion to them in the difficult days ahead. The doctor has given him a very short time line and so many large and small decisions to make and long painful emotional and physical days. These friends will need "boon companions" to be there with them. I am but one companion given for this time.

Who is your boon companion? Do you have one now, in the past? For many that companion is a dog and in doing research images of dogs alone and with their companions has show up regularly. I like the image of a boon companion, someone to be with me through good and bad times, sickness and health, rich or poor .... wait, that sounds like my wonderful husband or my best friend, always there to help and encourage, we are definitely a blessing to one another and hopefully to those around us.

May your life be filled with boon companions and, support and encouragement in all things.

Friends

2010-08-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Tuesday a friend of mine who is an artist/jewelry maker/designer and a great encourager was talking about starting a blog. I told her it's easy and that I have one, then sent her the address so she could check it out. I told her I would help her set her's up. Later that day I received an email from her. She liked my blog and mentioned particularly that my writing was good and why didn't I consider writing?

Well, hmmm, yet another "validation" of my so called talents. I decided that I needed to take a look at my blog and see if I agreed with her assessment. I think I kind of Lso I am blogging again for how ever long I feel moved.

Years ago my high school art teacher said something like " . . . art is 5% talent and 95% hard work. . ." In thinking about that now I realize that the 95% is comprised of discipline, education and consistently doing what ever it is that you want to do! It does take talent its true but you can't make it without the other 95%. The practice will do much to help me keep going and keeping going is accomplished by just DOING IT.

Learning to play an instrument, for me it was the guitar, was the doing it. Every day, working at holding those strings a little tighter, moving a little faster, stretching those fingers to cover more of the fret board and strings. I had a "talent" for playing the instrument but unless I was willing to have the discipline to work everyday I never would have made it. Playing the guitar has been a lifelong pursuit and I must say, that discipline has not been practiced and I'm pretty rusty now. Until about ten years ago I was playing regularly. There were many small victories along the way, not the lease of which was learning and being able to use bar chords. They're hard because you have to bar a fret with your index finger and then use the rest of them to hold a chord.

Me, aunt Norma and uncle Joe, circa 1980

I began with the ukulele when I was in fourth grade. Never mind that I really wanted a piano I got a uke. My mom, grandmother, great aunt and uncle all played uke's and I even took lessons. Mom was great about taking me every week to a lesson and I really enjoyed it. The family sitting around singing and playing loomed large in my upbringing. My dad played the harmonica, by ear, couldn't read a note of music. When I consider that now it's pretty amazing. I learned to play by ear as well as follow chords for the uke and the guitar.

The practicing I did on my first guitar was pretty painful. The guitar cost five dollars and the fret board and neck were so warped the strings sat about a half an inch off the fret board. This made for some challenging playing. Also the tuning pegs were missing so to tune the guitar took pliers. And I did all that. I think I was pretty motivated. The first month or so I gradually built up callouses which peeled and hurt and bled until they achieved the proper tempering.

The sixties was a good time to play the guitar. Folk music was in it's heyday and hootnanys abounded especially when I was at college in sixty-two and three. I had a good voice and often sang 500 miles in the Mary Travers style. Joan Baez had produced a record of many of the Child's Ballads which were also favorites of mine. Endless verses of the travails of time. These ballads became the backbone of many of the folk ballads of the time.

Then . . . I met a man/guy and fell in love. Trouble was, he could play any instrument with very little effort. I was very intimidated and didn't really play at all during the five years we were together. I hated him for that and myself for allowing that to happen. I lost a lot of joy during that time. Then . . . he went his way and me and my guitar went another, re-reunited once again we began a tender, and tenuous relationship, and I found my voice.

The guitar became my entre to lots of growing experiences which I won't go into at this time. Maybe in the future. But, music had once again become primary in my life.

All this is a long way around to talk about doing and discipline but it is a fact, without those I would not have had as satisfying a life as I have.

The take away? Apply myself, practice, write, quilt, make jewelry, any of those things that help my creativity to grow and blossom. At this time, my guitar is in the closet and has been since we moved here three years ago. I need to get re-acquainted with my instrument. Whether it is in music, quilting, jewelry making or writing. It's time to get to "work" again on those sustaining activities that I've set aside.

More to come for sure but right now . . . . my creativity is calling me.

Rocks and Crashing Sounds

2010-08-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

I choose that title because you may think I've been hiding under a rock somewhere...I have I think but I'm ready to stick my nose out. The crashing sounds come from the sound of silence being broken after a long hiatus. Not a particularly productive time exactly but an interesting time.

I do feel to begin by apologizing is no way to get back into writing, so if you are really, truly curious about the rock I've been under, ask me and I'll try to answer. In the meantime, I just want to write.

In the last month I've been encouraged by at least three people to get serious about my art. I know I don't want to go into business with my art (quilts, jewelry, knitting) I just want to create. If someone likes it great but I'm not going to advertise my stuff. Now, there are those out there who wonder why not? Well, I'm good at creating but forget marketing and business savy. I'm an artist, not an MBA thank you very much. Some how having to go out and beat the bush trying to convince folks that they need to buy my "stuff/art" has no appeal what so ever.

I find it very difficult to express all that I have to say in one sitting. Then because I save it with the intention of coming back and finishing I often just don't bother. Sleeping on it isn't always the best way to do things but it is often called for.

Now about my work/stuff/art. I was in Southern California for about three weeks in July and August. My uncle who I was visiting loves to go to see art so we made a stop at a local gallery in Vista where he lives. I am not sure exactly how the conversation started but there was some very beautiful beaded jewelry. I was talking with the artist about her work and also ended up in a conversation with another artist. I showed her some pictures of my work (bless my iPhone). The first thing she asked is if I had a website. I assured her I did not."Well why not" she asked. I answered "because I don't take myself seriously." What a sad statement about my regard for what I do. Her words in return were "well you should." Properly chastised I spent quite a bit of time chewing on that and asking myself..."well, why the hell not?" How can I expect anyone else to take my work seriously if I don't. Good question don't you think?

Flash forward to a recent martini and jewelry party. The artist whose jewelry was being shown was/is truly an exceptional artist. She works in her craft daily and makes amazing jewelry. So, I showed her some of my seed bead embellished bracelets and other work. She remarked particularly that I should enter my bracelets in a seed bead competition explaining that she felt very confident that my work would place! Now...here is another person validating my worth as an artist. And this gal should know because she works for a large international supplier called Fire Mountain Gems. Okay...more to think over an absorb.

I'm expressing all this because I need to do so. Seeing in writing what others have said validates me and my work.

So, that said I'd like to insert here a wonderful short film from YouTube called "Validation." It is a film that should be viewed often, at least once a week. It's clever and very true. I hope you will enjoy this film. Watch often as it will help you get through those ghastly red meanie days..

The Dark and the Daylight

2010-01-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

"Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupation,
That's known as the children's hour."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I know I said I was going to talk about movies and food, and in a way this will be about movies, but not the movie "The Children's Hour" but about another movie altogether. What I want to introduce you to is my a movie called "Parenthood". I don't remember when or where I saw this movie but I own the VHS and I watch it often. It is on the top of my list as far as movies go. There are others but this one had quite an effect on me when I first saw it as a struggling step-mom.

What is was remarkable about this movie to me is . . . being a parent was something I came by through marriage by my husband had/has two daughters who were nine and eleven when we married. I was an only child who had never really been around kids that age except when I babysat at that age myself. It was pretty foreign to me and scary.

In "Parenthood" Steve Martin plays a pretty uptight stressed out dad. Father of three, with a wife who has really lost her identity raising three kids, the eldest of whom is having some learning issues and may need to be enrolled in a "special" class. Diane Weist plays a single mom with two kids who are really struggling with the divorce of the parents, their own raging hormones and wanting to be independent.

There is also and really wonderful grandmother, who reminds me very much of my own great-grandmother. She is probably eighty-five plus and filled with the wisdom that can only be acquired through time and living.

The parents of Steve Martin's character have another son who just can't seem to get it together, gambles and is always looking for a "sure thing", get rich quick, with little effort on his own. There are other folks in the movie but I don't want to bore you with a long, blow-by-blow of the whole story.

What I took away from this wonderful movie is that, life is unpredictable, scary and wonderful all at the same time, like a roller coaster. What I found here was a beautiful assemblage of people who represented a cross section of a lot of parents in America. They worry about their kids, will they be smart, will the catch the ball thereby spoiling the other teams hopes of a home run. The daughter who just can't wait to grow up but who is still in high school and in LOVE. The eleven year old boy who is just angry about the loss of his dad, confused about sex and a mom who is so caught up in trying to survive and keep the family afloat but who just doesn't seem to have time to really reach out to the kids.

The young man who is the love interest of the daughter has some great line which I've posted here. I hope the language doesn't offend anyone. Remember, it's his words not mine but I think they really embrace a very profound thought about parenting.

"Cowboy Gil" rescues his nine year old's birthday party when Cowboy Bob is accidentally sent to the wrong party and a stripper shows up for the nine year old's party. I love it. This dad is desperate to have this party be a success so he finds a child sized cowboy hat, makes chaps from a round, green bathroom mat that he splits up the middle and ties on with string. He has pizza cutters attached to his boots for spurs and a child's vest and the red bandanna. Somehow he captures the essence of a cowboy and those little boys buy it. They understand that it is all a made up thing but they are willing to just go with it anyway.

I love this movie. Yes it is a bit sentimental, so what's wrong with sentiment? Real life doesn't always come with everything resolved, but this movie certainly takes you through the pain, laughter and hope that most of us parents feel, on a good day. We want out kids to succeed and be happy, what parent doesn't? "Parenthood" just does it all so deftly, humorously and with such tenderness. I just think that anyone out there who is a parent needs to encouragement and shoring up this flick can provide. It is a feel good movie that shows the ups and downs. It is a great cast, really great. It's a great movie, enjoy the preview. It says in video what I've been saying in words. Enjoy.

What to Ponder in Your Wandering Mind

2010-01-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

I have read and heard that writers should write about something they know. Well, if you're like me, you know a little about a lot of things. So, I was thinking this morning as I was fixing brunch, how do I know what I like, what am I passionate about and what do I know. I wondered how do I grasp hold of that. I decided that, for me, the things I'm passionate about, are the things that are there in my mind when its on a sort of auto-pilot. What was it? What was I thinking about as I stood there with my hands and pans moving automatically but my brain was wandering through? It was first, movies and second, not surprising,was food.

I am the adult version of a child who grew up in Southern California, 30 minutes (at that time) from Hollywood and Vine, the studios, and all those things that you think of when you think So. Ca. Going to Disneyland was like going to the zoo, readily available and cheap! In 1950s-early 60s you could have a really great time at Disneyland including something to eat, a book of tickets and admission for about $5.00. I know, it sounds amazing and it was.

However,that is not what I want to write about today. I realized as I stood there, that I absolutely loved movies and food, and, I loved food/cooking and most especially movies about food. There are quite a few examples about food movies, most recently "Julie and Julia," then there was "The Big Night" and a real classic is "Babette's Feast." If you haven't seen Babette's Feast, do, rent it, or steal it but watch it because it is perfect and wonderful. We took our daughters to see it in the theater, their first foreign movie with subtitles and then after the movie, dinner. It was great for all of us to experience. It is a classic is the most literal sense of the word.

Also, as I stood there, I was thinking about the movie I watched last night as the New Year crept in. "Gran Torino" and I thought first that it was a wonderfully crafted movie, Clint Eastwood is amazing. His body of work in Hollywood is beyond my ability to express its wonder. But I was also thinking about the other actors who were in the movie with him, young people who were getting the opportunity to not only act in a movie directed by him, but to also work with him as he acted his part. What an amazing time for all of them. I get the sense the Clint (hope he doesn't mind first name basis) is a teacher of his craft and those who are lucky enough to be in the same space as him for a movie walk away with the most incredible experience imaginable. I'm not interested in doing a critique or review of the movie as much as talking about the process.

Movies have become incredibly complex and multi-layered, with almost more post production work than actual live action. One that jumps to my mind is "Avatar". Wow, so many new ground was broken with that. Yeah, it didn't have a great plot, and the script wasn't remarkable, but everything after that was. I did see it in Real 3D and it was amazing. The creativity that flowed through that movie was boundless. I just kept being blown away by what came next. As most of the reviews have said, it doesn't have a lot of plot strength but I don't think that is what most people who saw it were looking for. It was the up close, real encounter with a new world created in the studio and in the computer. Wow, have we come a long way.

I guess this is my new train of thought about my blog. I know that nothing I've talked about here is earth shaking but, I am finding what drives me and what it is that inspires me to write. I hope you will enjoy the journey too. I welcome your feedback, good or bad.

I have plans to share some of my favs about movies and food so you will find some links here pretty soon. Until then, keep watching those movies and cooking and eating. They go together surprisingly well.

Tra La it's Fall

2009-10-05T12:00:00.001-07:00

Ok, today is the day. I've been reading and getting emails encouraging to get blogging again so here I am. I am giving up my status as voyeur for now. It won't be long but it will be here. I love you all and your dedication to this endeavor which I enjoy so very much. It's funny but the last time I signed on to write my blog the power went off for two hours. I think that is a message of sorts right?

Fall has come to the Rogue valley and there has even been a light dusting of snow on Mt. McLoughlin which is a sure sign that it's getting colder. Leaves are turning and falling into pools of gold and rust and the air is tinged with the crispness that only means one thing . . . Fall is officially here. Yay, my favorite time of year and oddly enough, my DH as well. I don't know why but there is a magic about Fall that no other season holds for me. The temperature fluctuations between day and night makes the air that feels charged with expectation all hold a special aura for me. It reminds me of being a kid and racing around the neighborhood with other kids, playing horses or just running through the yard for no reason other than it felt good.

Yes, there is something about this time of year that is just special and I love it.

So now for your amusement I'm including a picture of our newest addition to the family. His official name is Killian's Red, but here we call him the Red Rocket, himself, or the Red Menace. He is about six pounds of neutered male kitty that is so entertaining and lovey he is irresistible. Some one was telling me that kitties who have a triangular shaped head are full of "it" while round faced kitties are very lovey. I believe this is true. Killian is a true purebread Abyssinian and came to us through an "adopted" family member who raised abbys. We could never have afforded to actually buy him and feel very lucky that he was gifted to us.

The red cat statue we bought in Mexico about three years ago. It looked so much like Killian that I had to put it close by him. Darned if he doesn't choose to sit and lay next to it. Honest, with no encouragement by humans.

OK, that's it, no more, if I write anymore I won't get this published and I want to have something to show for myself!

HOT, HOT, HOT !!!

2009-07-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

There are no other words to describe what it is like today in Eagle Point/Medford area. I just looked at the thermometer on our patio, which is under cover, it read 107F. It leaves me mostly speechless with no adjectives that can adequately explain it, beyond cooking eggs on the sidewalk!

My brain feels scorched and so does my ambition. All our critters and making like rugs and moving very little.

I have been thinking about the recent eclipse and realized that it was almost 10 years ago exactly that we were in Sheffield England and saw the total eclipse there. It was truly an amazing phenomenon. It got really cold and not completely dark, just very gray. We were in Bakewell,where they are famous for their tarts. I didn't think they were that special but I enjoyed the time in the little town and experiencing a new taste.

I am thinking about putting the wading pool in the backyard and sit in it for a bit.

Hope you all stay cool is what ever ways you can find.

What's On My Design Wall

2009-06-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I talked about this being the Fibers of Life but they have not been terribly visible. At the urging of friends I'm going to start posting pictures. I'm not sure where this is going but it's going. I'm so grateful to the wonderful blogs I'm able to follow. Always full of goodness they are!

So this first picture is what is on my design wall at the present time. It includes a wall hanging done with the discharge method. It is waiting for me to decide how I want to quilt it.

The blocks are those I made with a block called Disappearing Nine Patch which is another really clever block I found reading blogs. It has quickly become a favorite. The fabrics were purchased as charm square packet of Kaffe Fassett and I knew when I learned of the pattern I had found just what I needed to make the quilt. I love Kaffe's fabric. He has a wonderful way of putting color, pattern and design together that just makes my creative juices get all stirred up.

The piece next to the leaves is my Convergence quilt also waiting to be quilted and next to that are the practice pieces from a class I took on perfect circles. It was great and I need to get busy doing something about what I learned. I think I love learning new things. Often I think that is what really motivates me is the excitement of learning a new technique or a pattern I found that I really love. It is funny what drives us creative folk. I suspect that when you have found your niche you just keep on going and never look back.

Now what is no longer on my design wall follows. This is a quilt for my step-daughter when she received her Masters Degree in Conducting earlier this month. I felt her accomplishment was worthy of commemorating. It is quite an accomplishment and she has already promised to go on for her doctorate. She is an incredible vocalist as well

While this is not the clearest picture, it certainly shows her at joy and finishing the job. We are proud of her. She has grown into an amazing woman whom I respect and admire a great deal.

The above is the quilt itself and the presentation label I made for it. The quilting was done by a Gammel machine by a friend who has a business of machine quilting. She is amazing and her work just sings. I was so happy to present this to Tuesday. She really likes it and was completely surprized. That made it all worth it.

It has been a month of running around and vacationing and meeting with family in Sacramento and then bringing my uncle back here to EP for a few more days. He is amazing and I'll tell more of what happened in the next posting.

For now, just in case all of you have been sitting there with baited breath waiting to hear from me again, here is your answer. I hope you enjoy reading. I will, I really will try to do much better.

Oh Dear, It's been so long!

2009-04-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am, I feel so mournful when I look and my last post was January 20. I feel guilty as I've had the pleasure of keeping up with others that I love. I'm sure I'm not the first blogger to hit a wall so soon after starting. I think the issue, in part, is there are just too many interesting and wonderful things, people, and stuff going on out there in the world that I am seduced by them all, hence, a stand still. I love food, the foody blogs are wonderful, but there are really important things going on besides food. Reya's The Gold Puppy is full of really thought provoking things. Things to ruminate over, take out and look at and decide whether this particular idea fits with me or not. I guess that one of the advantages of blogging is that you will ultimately find out what makes you tick.

I'm back at it again. I have spent several hours reading and catching up with the blogs I love. Some have brought me to tears, and some have made me laugh. I will not try to cover all the time since my last post. It's too much and I think just starting from where I am today is better.

Dave and I took a wonderful ride into northern California a week ago and we had fun taking pictures. He has discovered how much he enjoys photography and I'm delighted. I really want him to find a hobby he enjoys besides riding his motorcycle. Since we now have a blue bug convertible it is almost a good and much safer. Anyway, here is a picture I took of a ranch outside Mt. Shasta City. It was late afternoon and the light was just wonderful. There is something about a cloudy sky, that wonderful charcoal gray, that makes colors just pop. The long light on the hills made them look velvety. I was standing at the side of the road taking pictures when a truck stopped and asked my husband if everything was all right. He explained our photo expedition and then just a few minutes later a truck from the ranch drove out the driveway. A woman got out and asked if she could help us. She thought we might be Realtors. So we explained to her what we were doing and told how beautiful her ranch was. She said it had been the family for 100 years. She was single now and also worked as a teacher of special ed in nearby Mt. Shasta City. We had a great time talking about how hard farms/ranches are to keep going. She didn't want to lose it which I don't think was a consideration anyway. I wish now that I had gotten her address so I could send her the pictures I took.

We have actually had several photo ops over the last month which included another trip to the Redwoods. This was a kind of rainy day but still wonderful. I even made a short video of a run off waterfall along the way. The sound of it was grand. I'll post some pictures if I can learn how. For now this will do. Now I have to get back at it regularly.

January 20, 2009

2009-01-22T10:35:00.001-08:00

What follows is my response to the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday. I was so moved by what I saw and heard I just had to write it down, so, for your perusal here is my poem to our democracy and liberty.

Inauguration of Hope

Did you watch?
Were you there?
Did you feel the celebratory air?

We gathered today to listen
To be inspired and filled with hope
and were not disappointed.

In the cold clear light of noon
A new corner is turned.
We will follow with hopes held high
a million flags waving in the crisp air.

We will move forward,
not worrying about How,
but saying now!
Let's do it now

A new leader is before us,
Gathering all our hopes and dreams
into his intention to live true democracy.

But not forgetting that to live our dream
We must contribute all we have,
Pledge to the good of all.

Let us stand tall,
hearing the voices of past, present and future
and walk forward in expectation,
work to raise this nation
in the sturdy pursuit of peace
within and without our borders,

To inspire those around us
to give a little bit more for others,
and take a little less for ourselves.

For, it has always been
and thus will always be
Love each other as we love ourselves,
Being kind to friend, stranger and family.

Our strength lies in our ability to say I was wrong,
there is a better way.
Take my hand and walk with me
To a better tomorrow
not forgetting all those things
that have gone before,
the hurts, and the wars,

Draw deep from ourselves,
find a depth we did not know was there.

Let us celebrate and dance
the dance of liberty,
Joyful in the change that has been promised,
to this great nation.

And, I will say yes, yes, yes!

How to Avoid Getting Dressed

2009-01-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

I know this is a funny title but think about it, don't you put off doing somethings because you have more engaging things to do? Like, for example, reading others' blogs and then being so sparked by what you've read that you just have to put it into words. I think that reading other's blogs does alot for me. It kindles memories of similar things in my life. For this I am very grateful as there are some interesting things about living that we all share in common.

I have been encouraged by friends to show some of my quilts here so I will be putting something together over the next week or so for you enjoyment (I hope). Having just retired I am finding myself again and reconnecting with those things that make me go and feel alive. Quilting is one of them and I think blogging has taken its place there as well.

Let's see, I have been quilting for about 15 years. That seems like a lot of years but it only feels like yesterday to me. The biggest change over those years has been the fabric. It has moved away from calicos to much more vibrant and exuberant colors and patterns. I like this as I've been drawn to that palette from the beginning. I remember seeing the first art quilt and I knew, I knew beyond anything else, that this was a place I wanted to go. I was drawn to fabrics by designers like Nancy Crow, quilt designers like Rachel Kinsey Clark. I took one of her classes and was so jazzed by it I could hardly calm down. I was sizzling inside by what she taught and the joy of putting fabrics together.

Like most quilters, I have spent much time building "Stash". Its the medium we work in and you just never know when you might need that wonderful, outrageous piece you found in Iowa while on a trip and don't forget that while some people collect memories by buying trinkets, quilters buy fabric. It actually doesn't take up near the space that some of those "trinkets" do and it always has a utilitarian aspect that shouldn't be forgotten.

Then there are those fabrics that we collect as pets. We take them out, stroke them, unfold them, crinkle, fondle and ponder what we will do with them. I had a number of them which, when we moved, found their way to my daughter's mom group. Lovely women with not so much money, but wonderful children and creativity that needed feeding. So Corinne (daughter) came over and together we went through my stash and I succeeded in parting with 6 storage cases of fiber. They were all delighted and so was I. I think my husband Dave was also relieved to have a few less boxes of fabric to move. I felt good because I was doing something for others that they really enjoyed as well.

So, fast forward to our new house, 267 miles away from anything familiar, all our friends and family left behind, and no one we knew waiting for us. Since Dave isn't nearly as social as I am I had a lot of adjusting to do. I love people, their vitality, their friendship and just chatting with them, always looking for that common thread. You know, even 267 miles from anything familiar I found common threads. But I think one of the biggest blessings of all is finding a group of women who share quilting in common, aging and a general delight in life.

I am going to add a photo at this point of the quilt I started fall, 2007, right after we moved here and finished this fall 2008. It's hanging in the spot I had in mind for it and does what I hoped it would, which is hang there and look beautiful, IMHO.

All the leaves that are on the body of the quilt are fused there, each one was buttonhole stitched by hand and then the whole quilt was machine quilted with echo quilting. I loved picking out all the fabrics, and I think I bought all new fabric for this one as it was my first quilt in the new home. It took much longer to finish than planned but that's another whole story for another time. It is interesting to me how much it made our house feel more like home.

Forest Sentinels

2009-01-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Tuesday we decided to take a drive to the coast. I've often wondered why Oregonians call it the coast and Californians call it the beach. To me it does evoke two different images, one with warm sandy beaches and one rocky with very cold water.

On the way home we took a side road in the Jedidiah Smith Redwood park. This road was little more than hardened dirt and gravel but very passable in most places. It was obvious however that the shoulders were still very soft and there were quite a few rutted areas. One of the delights about having a Volkswagen convertible is that it is easy to put the top up and down. Also, having heated seats and a warm coat and hat helps too. Coming out of the forest with the top down was this scene of the trees that I really hoped to capture. The light was wonderful and colors so rich. It was amazing. So many of the tress began as several trees whose trunks then merged into one huge trunk. Lots of conversation about these giants. There really aren't enough words to describe how humbling and beautiful they are. We forgot the camera so this was taken with my iPhone. It takes very nice pictures but it was somewhat dark so the details are great but you get the idea.

Hopscotch was with us and she was not too crazy about riding in the small backseat. I could feel her stress which made me uncomfortable. I think Dave realizes that long trips - day trips in the backseat for her are not a very good idea. She was a trooper and we had her out often during the day. We also discovered that our 50/60 plus bodies don't accommodate 10 hours in the car very well.

We left early in the morning and got home just before dark. It was, to say the least, a long day for all of us. We were pretty tired when we got home. There was heavy fog driving from Gold Hill over Hwy 234 to Eagle Point. It was hard to see and we were really happy to see our little casa. One of my quilting friends had just hit an elk about a week ago on the same road, but not with fog. It really did a number on her car but she and her passenger were ok. I was very grateful not to see any of our critters in my headlights too.

A Life Very Ordinary

2009-01-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more satisfying to me than finishing reading a really good book, a good meal, and any significant piece of communication. I love reading a book that you might call "Slice of Life" in style. I am so grateful to friends who know me well enough to send me these literary morsels. They are gifts in many ways. I've decided I need to keep track of all the books I read and perhaps go back and pickup a few from the past.

It seems to me that an ordinary life is what I have been called to live. I've had my ups and downs but all in all I have loved it all, good and bad, scary, exhilarating and boring. But I find that it is the life I'm drawn to and live. Everyone longs to feel more, to considered really good at something, known for something. I'm happy just going along. I like sharing insights to things with my friends and anyone who wants to listen. If you don't want to listen then you can click off. How about that....just a click away and someone else's life will be there for you to consume.

Many people are lining up to record their resolutions for the new year. I resolve to keep track of what I read; to love my friends and family honestly and deeply and to think about what I say and write. It is so easy to get caught up in rushing here and there that the intention of living is lost in the quest of an illusive idea with no structure.

So for now this is all I will say and I will try to get better at organizing my thoughts and communicating them to whomever wants to listen.
Happy New Year

Chocolate Chip Cookies & Milk

2008-12-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

I've spent the last couple of days baking cookies. I decided I need cookies and milk tonight. What a treat. I'd forgotten how very delicious chocolate chip cookies dunked in milk taste. Delish, delish. Also, watching Harry Potter and eating cookies and milk is very fun. Tomorrow, Christmas Eve is Dave's day off for this holiday. I have a wonderful ham dinner planned with scalloped potatoes, green beans, and of course, Pumpkin Pie. It is a lot to do but we are worth it and I seem to really be enjoying cooking these days.

Sunday, Rain and stuff

2008-12-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I read so many deep and wonderful things, thoughts about the sisterhood of women and I was so engaged in it that today I feel like I have a hangover. It is a slow morning, like most are for me. The coffee is done but I haven't stirred to get any yet. Spent a good deal of time looking at all the wonderful pictures of our granddaughters that my step-son-in-law put on FaceBook. He is does a really excellent job of capturing the moment with them. Even the posed pictures look unstaged. Perhaps it is because the subject matter is so wonderful. I liked looking at their life, Stephan and Corinne and the girls. The simple joy of a new gas range, how I remember getting mine. It was a wonder to me and I love cooking on gas. I know Corinne has wanted one for quite sometime and its great that Stephan decided to record the event for posterity. They will enjoy looking back at all the little things and big things that they have done together and I hope, they feel very content.

We have come to be danced

2008-12-20T17:40:00.000-08:00

It seems that the end of 2009 has come and left me with many thoughts...but the one that stands out are those expressed by this poem. I don't remember who sent it to me but it makes me happy to read it and to share it. I have had it saved and tucked away because I couldn't bear to part with it or lose it. It seems important to hang onto it because it says soooo much. I won't try to interpret it for you or anyone but only for me.... I share with you

A reflection of the essential self…

We Have Come to be Danced

We have come to be danced

Not the pretty dance

Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance

But the claw our way back into the belly

Of the sacred, sensual animal dance

The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance

The holding the precious moment in the palms

Of our hands and feet dance.

We have come to be danced

not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance

But the wring the sadness from our skin dance

The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.

The slap the apology from our posture dance.

We have come to be danced

Not the monkey see, monkey do dance

One two dance like you

One two three, dance like me dance

But the grave robber, tomb stalker

Tearing scabs and scars open dance

The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.

We have come to be danced

Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle

But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama

Shaman shaking, ancient bones dance

The strip us from our casings. return our wings

Sharpen our claws and tongues dance

The shed dead cells and slip into

The luminous skin of love dance.

We have come to be danced

Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floordance

But the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath and beat dance

The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance

The mother may I?

Yes you may take ten giant leaps dance

The olly-olly oxen free free free dance

The everyone can come to our heaven dance.

We have come to be danced

Where the kingdoms collide

In the cathedral of flesh

To burn back into the light

To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray

To root in skin sanctuary

We have come to be danced

We have come.

-- Jewel Mathieson, from This Dance: A Poultice of Poems

It's Saturday

2008-12-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

It is the Saturday before Christmas, and, the Saturday before my sixty-fifth birthday. How I got here is a mystery. I don't feel 65 and I certainly don't look it thanks to some very good genes from my mother who, bless her heart, is not here to celebrate with me. She died of bi-lateral breast cancer at the tender age of 60 after a too short 1 year battle. It is now safe to say that I am living in an age that she did not experience. She also did not get to experience my getting married in 1986 or the wonderful stepdaughters I have or my wonderful husband Dave. I'm grateful that my Dad did get to know them a bit, in spite of the horrible woman he married after mom died in 1983. I could go into a real rant about that but it is for another time or, perhaps, never.

So, anyway, here I am at almost 65, carrying my new Medicare card and wondering if I will get to use it soon. (How weird is that). Like a new credit card, I want to see if it works. Never mind that the circumstance in which I could use it may not be the most healthful situation. Funny.

I've just been reading a wonderful blog by an author named Kelly Corrigan who wrote a book called "The Middle Place". I love her style and writing, her economy of words and all of them just right. It could be because she has a master's degree in literature which I think helps, but mostly she has the ability to write just the essence, pure and concentrated about her subject. When I find someone who writes so well I am inspired to write about my life, because lets face it, it is as interesting as most lives and would look even better in print. Right? I think deep thoughts, think critically about the written word, at times, and in general feel that almost anything I have to say is funny. I am growing in my appreciation of the philosophical perspective of life. I realize I write in sentences and ideas that could all be elaborated upon if I so choose to do so at some time. Maybe I will and .... maybe I won't. I'll just have to see.

Isn't it wonderful that you can put all your thoughts down and perhaps someone will stumble across them just by Googling one of the key words or "labels you've assigned?"

Well, at this point I don't want to ramble on about nothing in particular and everything in general so I will stop here, look for some feedback and think some more. There are many people who think deep thoughts about life an don't write them down. I think I will try to write my thoughts down. Perhaps if others like it as well, then I will have accomplished something.

Snow on Sunday

2008-12-14T09:57:00.000-08:00

It is snowing today as predicted. I woke up several times in the night/morning to look and see if it had begun but not until I really did get up did it snow. The flakes have been ranging in size from HUGE (1") to small but it comes down steadily. I'm not sure how long it will stay but even for a short time it is beautiful. Perhaps if I had to go out and drive in it I would feel differently but I'm really enjoying it from where I am. I can feel the furnace coming on and off as there is an air duct above my head. I'm sitting at Dave's computer which is in front of a large window overlooking the back yard.

I owe this blog to my friend Rose who started one here as well. I thought I could maybe do this, but I think it is for me more than anyone else.

The Fibers of Life

September 's Song

A Boon Companion

Definition of BOON

1com·pan·ion

Definition of COMPANION

Friends

Rocks and Crashing Sounds

The Dark and the Daylight

What to Ponder in Your Wandering Mind

Tra La it's Fall

HOT, HOT, HOT !!!

What's On My Design Wall

Oh Dear, It's been so long!

January 20, 2009

How to Avoid Getting Dressed

Forest Sentinels

A Life Very Ordinary

Chocolate Chip Cookies & Milk

Sunday, Rain and stuff

We have come to be danced

It's Saturday

Snow on Sunday

¹com·pan·ion