During a Heroine's Journey* writing workshop, I wrote extensively about coracles and how they are made, our indigenous peoples and of course the Irish used them. I love it that you and your son made one!!!
*Josephine Jones, Colorado Humanities, Idaho poet and author of Sane in Pain.
What a fascinating sounding workshop. I've learned a bit about the Heroine's Journey from Sharon Blackie--and it makes such sense to intertwine it with writing-- the spiral path vs the "out and back and conquer the dragons" approach of the Hero's journey. Just thinking about coracles in that context is bliss -- and am excited to know that you wrote extensively about them. Such a thing to immerse oneself in the world of these glorious and often ignored craft...
Somehow the card catalog image is almost my favorite - all those textured edges, words cozied together in their boxes.... but the incantations! Oh, that would be endless. Single syllable words make such good chants! (as needed for enchantment, of course!)
Chants--that is exactly what they are. And OH my dear thank you for pointing out how chant fits into enchantment. Whoot! Just made my day. And yes, the card catalog means I can take them out and put them back -- all chants becoming things of the moment...
To enchant the world -- to put the magic back into it -- is a miraculous thing (if I were very po-faced, I might quibble about it being nonsense, but let's not quibble. You do help with the enchantment bit, you know.
t's a lovely word , enchantment --recently made manifest in Katherine May's new book by the title which I've almost, sadly, finished even as it only came out a couple of weeks ago.
And to myself contribute in the tiniest way to the putting of magic back into the world --that would be a life goal indeed. thank you.
I've given my Guild of weavers, spinners and dyers a heads-up re The Gusset. You do tick all the boxes, plus some fun extras (Edward Lear!). Hope it brings you new readers and a happy community.
Gosh Nancy, thank you! I so appreciate your gloriously kind words, your effort to share The Gusset--and of course, your pleasure in Edward Lear. Enchantment with good old fashioned meaningful nonsense is the best, is it not?
My goodness, I learned all kinds of things from that issue! I never knew I had a wild twin, and I love the idea of weaving words and storing them in a box for later composure of poetry! How lovely that you shared your inspirations with us. You have cheered my day and taught me new things. Thank you Sarah!
Wow, I'm so glad you found so much in my words. It thoroughly delights me. And yes -- finding your wild twin is a gift indeed, for they can be elusive creatures. But so helpful. And they know so very much....
Your Substack letter is the best! I love coracles, and your digital image with the rose-colored glasses. It joins another of my favorite images, a painting by Remedios Varo, “Exploring the Sources of the Orinoco River.” I think I can add a link here: https://www.remedios-varo.com/exploracion-de-las-fuentes-del-rio-orinoco-1959/
OH my GOODNESS what a wondrous painting. The pocket! The buttons down the front. OH my word I am completely in love with that painting. I can't thank you enough. And What company to have in dreams of aquatic exploration. OH me oh my. You just made my morning. Thank you!
Your posts are a breath of fresh air, Sarah. I am in awe of your artistic talents. I'm currently a member of both the Grandma and Great-Grandma Clubs. On my bucket list, learning how to weave letters and words and taking the Fringeless class.
Gosh thank you so much Jean. I'm imagining it'll be a little while til I'm in the great grandma club (my granddaughter is not quite two months old yet!). Hoping I get to teach her to weave at some point though. If she's up for it. And letters -- just funny little shapes, really.
I am smiling that you now join me in the Grandma Club (which is much more fun than the widow's club that we navigate). I have been entranced by coracles for years and remember seeing one that Knitter Debbie New knitted years ago. You've added to my already amazing day, which started out not so amazingly. Thank you, Grandma Sarah!
Oh golly Bonnie--what fun to be in the Granny Club with you. Definitely more lighthearted than the Widow's club to be sure, but I'm doing my best to honor this one too. And YES -- Debbie New's coracle was amazing. Knitted lace with epoxy I think, so you could see through the bottom. Brilliant.
Oh, Sarah, I have loved your tapestries, your knitting, your drawings, your words, for years and finding you on here again at a rough patch in my own old life has done magical things to lift me. I have your wonderful book, “The Backstrap Dialogues” and treasure the note you wrote to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oh gosh Lynn, so so sorry about your rough patch. They are... mmmm indescribable in their unique distressing ways. And having ways, and things and comrades to help a gal through makes such a difference. Sending you all the best. So glad these words make a difference.
Wow thanks for that link to Edward Lear and his biography. I have one of his bird illustration books and I wondered if he was the same person! How amazing he wrote “The Owl and The Pussycat”. I had no idea, so neat to have this new insight into his amazing life. Thank you!
I really like your word tapestries!
Have you ever considered creating a guide for weaving letters & words?
Actually I have considered such a thing — just haven’t, you know, started!
During a Heroine's Journey* writing workshop, I wrote extensively about coracles and how they are made, our indigenous peoples and of course the Irish used them. I love it that you and your son made one!!!
*Josephine Jones, Colorado Humanities, Idaho poet and author of Sane in Pain.
What a fascinating sounding workshop. I've learned a bit about the Heroine's Journey from Sharon Blackie--and it makes such sense to intertwine it with writing-- the spiral path vs the "out and back and conquer the dragons" approach of the Hero's journey. Just thinking about coracles in that context is bliss -- and am excited to know that you wrote extensively about them. Such a thing to immerse oneself in the world of these glorious and often ignored craft...
I look forward to seeing your posts as a jump start to the day. Thank you.
I am so happy to see your writing and art back on my screen. They never fail to leave me inspired!! 🐉
Oh thank you Rebecca!
So lovely to have you here.
Somehow the card catalog image is almost my favorite - all those textured edges, words cozied together in their boxes.... but the incantations! Oh, that would be endless. Single syllable words make such good chants! (as needed for enchantment, of course!)
Chants--that is exactly what they are. And OH my dear thank you for pointing out how chant fits into enchantment. Whoot! Just made my day. And yes, the card catalog means I can take them out and put them back -- all chants becoming things of the moment...
In more than one way!!! Is it bale or bail?? Bad coffee works well on rust!! All the best
To enchant the world -- to put the magic back into it -- is a miraculous thing (if I were very po-faced, I might quibble about it being nonsense, but let's not quibble. You do help with the enchantment bit, you know.
t's a lovely word , enchantment --recently made manifest in Katherine May's new book by the title which I've almost, sadly, finished even as it only came out a couple of weeks ago.
And to myself contribute in the tiniest way to the putting of magic back into the world --that would be a life goal indeed. thank you.
I've given my Guild of weavers, spinners and dyers a heads-up re The Gusset. You do tick all the boxes, plus some fun extras (Edward Lear!). Hope it brings you new readers and a happy community.
Gosh Nancy, thank you! I so appreciate your gloriously kind words, your effort to share The Gusset--and of course, your pleasure in Edward Lear. Enchantment with good old fashioned meaningful nonsense is the best, is it not?
My goodness, I learned all kinds of things from that issue! I never knew I had a wild twin, and I love the idea of weaving words and storing them in a box for later composure of poetry! How lovely that you shared your inspirations with us. You have cheered my day and taught me new things. Thank you Sarah!
Wow, I'm so glad you found so much in my words. It thoroughly delights me. And yes -- finding your wild twin is a gift indeed, for they can be elusive creatures. But so helpful. And they know so very much....
Your Substack letter is the best! I love coracles, and your digital image with the rose-colored glasses. It joins another of my favorite images, a painting by Remedios Varo, “Exploring the Sources of the Orinoco River.” I think I can add a link here: https://www.remedios-varo.com/exploracion-de-las-fuentes-del-rio-orinoco-1959/
OH my GOODNESS what a wondrous painting. The pocket! The buttons down the front. OH my word I am completely in love with that painting. I can't thank you enough. And What company to have in dreams of aquatic exploration. OH me oh my. You just made my morning. Thank you!
Your posts are a breath of fresh air, Sarah. I am in awe of your artistic talents. I'm currently a member of both the Grandma and Great-Grandma Clubs. On my bucket list, learning how to weave letters and words and taking the Fringeless class.
Gosh thank you so much Jean. I'm imagining it'll be a little while til I'm in the great grandma club (my granddaughter is not quite two months old yet!). Hoping I get to teach her to weave at some point though. If she's up for it. And letters -- just funny little shapes, really.
Are you sure you don't work for the Navey?? We're always fixing the rust buckets, worm cans
..etc..all the best
Ha! Too funny. Mending though.... keeping things afloat. A lifelong devotion. eh?
This is such a delightful ramble :)
Thank. you so much.
I am smiling that you now join me in the Grandma Club (which is much more fun than the widow's club that we navigate). I have been entranced by coracles for years and remember seeing one that Knitter Debbie New knitted years ago. You've added to my already amazing day, which started out not so amazingly. Thank you, Grandma Sarah!
Oh golly Bonnie--what fun to be in the Granny Club with you. Definitely more lighthearted than the Widow's club to be sure, but I'm doing my best to honor this one too. And YES -- Debbie New's coracle was amazing. Knitted lace with epoxy I think, so you could see through the bottom. Brilliant.
Oh, Sarah, I have loved your tapestries, your knitting, your drawings, your words, for years and finding you on here again at a rough patch in my own old life has done magical things to lift me. I have your wonderful book, “The Backstrap Dialogues” and treasure the note you wrote to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oh gosh Lynn, so so sorry about your rough patch. They are... mmmm indescribable in their unique distressing ways. And having ways, and things and comrades to help a gal through makes such a difference. Sending you all the best. So glad these words make a difference.
Wow thanks for that link to Edward Lear and his biography. I have one of his bird illustration books and I wondered if he was the same person! How amazing he wrote “The Owl and The Pussycat”. I had no idea, so neat to have this new insight into his amazing life. Thank you!
I was wondering for a bit if I actually needed to knit a pea green bowl for just that reason, but didn't want to wait!