Lovely World

calendar and book

{Calendar Week 9}

Book 8/52:

David Nicholls's One Day

dear snow

Dear Snow, You took me by surprise this morning. The tree branches are hanging low from all your heavy, wet weight. You have come down in white out fashion throughout the day. I thought maybe you had lost your interest in us and were preparing to rest until next year. I guess not. I should know better. I have seen snow like this in April. Love, Me

At least the kids are on holiday break this week and did not lose another day of school to the snow. There has been a whole lot of relaxing going on around here. I have been sewing. I made some linen baby shoes, which are very satisfying to make. I hadn't made a pair in a while.

Last night I awoke in the wee morning hours and thought - I need a new rhythm in my life. I have been thinking about going back to work as a midwife in some capacity. It is so difficult to manage a family if both parents have a demanding job (which would be the case if I worked full time). But, I have worked part time in the past and know that this might be a possibility. I feel that I need to look at this seriously. Being home is wonderful in many ways, but it also makes me feel anchorless and unfocused at times. Has anyone else felt that anchorless feeling?

3191Q

I just received the winter issue of Stephanie and Mav's 3191 Quarterly. It is a paper copy of the visual blogging they have become well known for. This is the third one in my subscription. I have enjoyed them, very much like reading their blog. But, I think I like the blog better. Maybe if the magazine were different than the blog - a new project rather than an extension.

And that is an interesting question in itself. How does one translate the material of a blog into the material world? Some days I feel a deep integration of my blogging and my daily life. Other times, my blogging may seem foreign, a construct of my imagination. I can create and recreate myself through pictures and words. Previous generations never had this complicated web of possibilities to navigate.

I do know that I have met people, lovely people, I never would have met if not for this blog. I have been inspired in my creative pursuits, exchanged ideas, offered support and been given support in return. There is something powerful in knowing we can connect groups of like-minded people in the blink of an eye through our blogs and web sites.

There is also a balancing game. Too much time on the computer is no good for me. I have family, friends, work, and my strong draw to the natural world that keep me engaged away from the online world.

But, I guess it is not a black and white equation. This blog has come to serve as a connection to things very much real, and very dear. The things that happen online - blogs, social media, and the like - do translate into quality of life away from the technology. Just look what is happening in the Middle East right now. I think that the ability to connect and share across distances and cultures has strengthened this generation's belief in POSSIBILITY.

Thank you.

calendar and book

{Calendar Week 8}

Enjoy some flowers this week.

Book 7/52:

Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil

friday

Lovely, lovely Margie of Resurrection Fern sent me this medicine bundle she made with some of her naturally-dyed fabric. Inside is a special stone. I am so happy to have this to enjoy. Margie has some recent posts up about natural dyes - go take a look. She also has a give-away going on for some of the fabrics she has made. Thank you for being a wonderful blog friend, Margie.

A few close-ups from around the house today. Happy weekend to you. I'm hoping to go to a dinner and moonlit ski at a local x-country ski center tomorrow night.

*********************************

Fear is a contraction, love is diffusion. -the Bnei Yissoscher

When I was young I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. - Abraham Joshua Heschel

cold

I've had a cold over the last few days. A bad one. Just a couple of weeks ago I had remarked that I had not caught a significant cold in what seemed liked years. And here I am, suffering the usual runny nose, congested head, and all the rest. Resting feels good, as do long hot baths. I think it is my transition to Spring cold, as with it have come some warmer days. Some of the snow is actually melting away!

We are more than half way through February. The sugaring buckets are going up on the maple trees in my neighborhood. I'm sure there is another good snow storm or two in the works, but change is in the air. No turning back.

calendar and book

{Calendar Week 7}

Book 6/52:

Joshua Halberstam's A Seat at the Table: A Novel of Forbidden Choices

calling cards

Don't you wish you had a calling card? I imagine people handing these out at fancy parties. My favorite is the one with the peacock feather.

How about a merit card? I wish my children received merit cards with their names written out in beautiful calligraphy rather than the plastic crap they pull from the "treasure boxes" in their classrooms.

These cards belonged to my grandparents. There are many more in the collection.

Nice names: Minnie, Lettie, Clyde, and Arthur.

Looking forward to a high school basketball game tonight. My nephew is playing. He has worked very hard and is a strong player. It will be a pleasure to watch.

blue

Yes. There is more snow this morning. Heavy and sticky. Some vanilla frosting for the trees.

A knitting project almost completed.

A new doll. The figures I am painting have inspired me to translate them into cloth. I am making removable clothes for it.

An old print of forget-me-nots hanging on my daughter's bedroom wall. You can see her violet collection on the windowsill. My grandmother grew violets as a hobby. It makes me happy that Miriam enjoys keeping them too.

A niggly migraine hanging about my head for the past few days. Goodbye to it already.

It is a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately filling up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as well as fundamental spaciousness. (Pema Chodron When Things Fall Apart)

calendar and book

{Calendar Week 6}

Book 5/52:

Claire Dederer's Poser: My Life in Twenty-Five Yoga Poses