Oh, our minds must be on the same track with the creativity streak. I have put down my ideas in my 'creativity' journal just to keep track of all the energy flowing between my ears. And sitting quietly sorting tufts of mohair puts stories into those that will become something all together different. The joy of quiet listening. Thanks Sarah for the inspiration, once again!!
A creativity journal! What a grand idea. Idea storms can be awesome and overwhelming at once -- so writing feels like such a good way to gather them together in one place to store for the winter lIke apples or plums...
I love to spin. While spinning those milkweed (?) fibers, how are you maintaining the twist after it leaves your hand? Is it only that they are so long? I look forward to your thoughts every Tuesday day.
I'm actually making cordage, which involves spinning and plying at once, if you will. I twist one strand away from me (the spinning part), then bring it toward me over the other strand (the plying). Then repeat with the strand now farthest away. Ancient and brilliant technology!
Wonderful Sarah, have you woven "Walk" yet for you and Beryl? I may have missed it. It would be fine if it were able to be "Meander" or "Amble" or "Wander" or "Gambol" but four letters it must be..."Roam" perhaps.
I did weave walk -- and yes, I think it was shortly after I got Beryl and began to walk more than run. Roam is excellent -- but is it a noun as well as a verb? One of my parameters is that all the words have to be nouns, even as I love when they are also verbs and/or adjectives too. I also lament the myriad words that don't fit into the parameters of four letter, one syllable nouns. But then maybe I'd be weaving this project for the rest of my life???
Aha! A roam, then, is a bit what I undertake every time I sit down to write. And perfectly describes (in four letters), the kind of meanders I love best. Thank you!
Ah, Dear Cheryl. Thank you. I named Beryl for the gemstone (cuz sometimes blue and she's a blue heeler). Also a gem. Also a bit for Beryl Markham. What I didn't realize until she and I had both gotten used to the name that most people think I"m calling her "Barrel". Which I guess is Ok, but I could have chosen something a little more obvious....
What a delightful gift to uncover your restorative musings in my inbox! Your prose, in the playful way it dances, invites us to that soulful space where the infinite resides. It's a realm beyond the constraints of time, space, or even the confines of conventions; it beckons warmly, like a cherished friend.
Art, music, and the creative muse hold the keys to this enchanted door. Through your words, you've given us the map, guiding us as we break free from the boundaries of our everyday lives. It's akin to stargazing from within a tent, or feeling transported by a Bach fugue. And for me, it's that magical morning swim under the setting moon or the creative dialogue with newfound companions.
Still savoring and feeling positively satiated. Absolutely delectable. Thank you!
Oh my Celina, I'm blushing and thrilled and inspired and warmed by your words. Thank you SO very much for being here, and for saying these utterly delicious things.
And Frederick is my favorite - he made an appearance in a blog post a while back, possibly in the midst of pandemic. This post is a gem, to be revisited.
Ah Frederick. He is such a helpful icon, eh? Such a brilliant reminder to pause and really sit with the colors and the smell of the air. Thanks for reminding me back...
What a marvellous thread of place, time, and season. I adored every word and drawn line. And especially Beryl, of course. I shall savour this later today, again. Will your head not get cold with no hair? (Though presumably woolly hats come into their own?)
Cold head-- definitely a thing I didn't think about when I chopped it this short in March (in honor of Dan's one year deathiversary), with no idea I'd like it so much that I'd need to confront the chilly scalp and ear problem. But then again... WOOL!!! What a good reason to knit more thick fluffy hats. And thank you for your lovely words. Warms my heart indeed. And Beryl (who is a devoted licker), sends kisses ...
The story my mom used to tell us as children was The Little Red Hen https://youtu.be/2E72TZy0LNo. I love this version of it with its illustrations, which show that apparently Little Red Hen was a spinner! 😍 Indeed the dog, the cat and the mouse are quite lazy, whereas Frederick is truly gathering good things, much needed things for the long dark winters. I have now ordered a used copy so that I can read Frederick to our dear granddaughter! Thank you Sarah for sharing all of what you glean from your creative world. When I read your newsletter, I feel as if I am being lavished with all sorts of stories, words, photography, weavings, how-to's, serendipities, etc that I have not worked for but am nevertheless the recipient of! Thank you!
OH wow, those little red hen illustrations remind me of your drawings! Beautiful and so very evocative. And isn't it a thing-- this drive some of us have to work and make and create, and how wild it is to be with people (or cats or dogs or mice) who don't have that passion for making? All these stories are such interesting manifestations about our view of the world: relative goodness and feelings of safety, and what generosity can look like. So many lessons we've absorbed from stories. So many points of view! Love you making in secret for a while too. Speaking of brilliant and important choices.
Hi Sarah, my first memory's are of my Grandmother teaching me to cast on 3"double point knitting needles and work my first sock at 2 years old..along with her spynx twaddle sewing machine in her room..it was a 200 year old sick company at that time..she only spoke a very broken polish/english..her big thing was socks.."the floors in Poland are very cold" no one was allowed with out socks on there feet..socks are near and dear to my heart..keep knitting them!! Blessings for the memory..
What a fabulous memory -- and a wooly toe-cuddling manifestation of love and care. Socks really are the best. Thank you for this fantastic image of your grandmother.
How do I turn that into words! Oh my! That is me for sure. I take photos and try to turn the moments into words by writing about them, but sometimes the words to do not come. I love your posts and appreciate all your time put into them.
It's a quandary isn't it -- this word/image balance? Especially when sometimes the photo says it all and yet the words, so very shy, still want to show up. How to entice them????? A never ending practice, eh?
Sarah, the words with their meanings are a special gift to me right now. I have posted how soothing your posts have been as I sat with my ailing mother.
Last week, She passed beyond the rainbow bridge as my granddaughters say and all three of these words resonate with me deeply.
Oh my Logan. I'm so sorry about your mother. And also, so glad the you were able to help her with her passing to beyond the rainbow bridge (SUCH a beautiful phrase). Such a thing for you to do, and have done. And how I'm thinking of you as you cope with your life on this side of the bridge. All the decisions and feelings and memories that we living folk have/get to carry and cope with. Take care and I hope you can rest and drink tea (or whatever your preferred beverage is -- I found I had a taste for the odd drop of whiskey after my husband died, which was a new thing for me even as I know he'd have found it hilarious and delightful). Sending all my very very best.
SARAH, it was fun to share! I lost my singer red eye spynx in the hurricanes of Florida at the beginning of 2023..along with the remaining family I had..on a brighter note..I just replaced the singer treadle spynx with a centennial singer GoDzilla hand crank! It's wonderful to be able to sew again..gorilla and I are just getting acquainted..sew sews beautiful..I'm working on putting my life and family back together again..all the things I can pass down to my children and family..along with a new start...
Socks a German rate are always a tradition especially when the holidays are coming up..all the best and thanks for being there
OH my word -- what a thing. I'm so so sorry. What a time --and such a thing to rebuild your life, family and tools. Sending you all the very best. Also I'm massively intrigued by your centennial singer hand crank. WHAT a treasure. As a treadle sewing machine girl, I've always been intrigued with hand cranks, but never tried one. So glad she sews beautifully and you're making friends. Inspiring in all ways.
Oh, I missed this one. Last week, I was busy getting quotes for replacing my old HVAC unit and it was ever so taxing. The new one is being installed today so I have the brain space for this brilliance you have shared. Everything works out so perfectly.
Oh, our minds must be on the same track with the creativity streak. I have put down my ideas in my 'creativity' journal just to keep track of all the energy flowing between my ears. And sitting quietly sorting tufts of mohair puts stories into those that will become something all together different. The joy of quiet listening. Thanks Sarah for the inspiration, once again!!
A creativity journal! What a grand idea. Idea storms can be awesome and overwhelming at once -- so writing feels like such a good way to gather them together in one place to store for the winter lIke apples or plums...
I love to spin. While spinning those milkweed (?) fibers, how are you maintaining the twist after it leaves your hand? Is it only that they are so long? I look forward to your thoughts every Tuesday day.
I'm actually making cordage, which involves spinning and plying at once, if you will. I twist one strand away from me (the spinning part), then bring it toward me over the other strand (the plying). Then repeat with the strand now farthest away. Ancient and brilliant technology!
I will experiment. I have never tried to make cordage. Thanks for the explanation.
Wonderful Sarah, have you woven "Walk" yet for you and Beryl? I may have missed it. It would be fine if it were able to be "Meander" or "Amble" or "Wander" or "Gambol" but four letters it must be..."Roam" perhaps.
I did weave walk -- and yes, I think it was shortly after I got Beryl and began to walk more than run. Roam is excellent -- but is it a noun as well as a verb? One of my parameters is that all the words have to be nouns, even as I love when they are also verbs and/or adjectives too. I also lament the myriad words that don't fit into the parameters of four letter, one syllable nouns. But then maybe I'd be weaving this project for the rest of my life???
I always rely on Chambers English Dictionary and they have it thus:
roam /rōm/
intransitive verb
To rove about
To ramble
To use a mobile phone in a place outside the standard area of coverage
transitive verb
To wander over
To range
noun
A wandering
A ramble
ORIGIN: ME romen; origin obscure
So, Beryl can undertake a roam!
Aha! A roam, then, is a bit what I undertake every time I sit down to write. And perfectly describes (in four letters), the kind of meanders I love best. Thank you!
I love Tatter! And spinning and getting carried away a bit with cutting to the point where my long haired ..cats used to take cover..
Carried away by spinning is the BEST. You're so right.
I love this posting so, so much. How did Beryl come to be named Beryl? You may have said and I missed it. Savoring is such a gift.
cheryl
Ah, Dear Cheryl. Thank you. I named Beryl for the gemstone (cuz sometimes blue and she's a blue heeler). Also a gem. Also a bit for Beryl Markham. What I didn't realize until she and I had both gotten used to the name that most people think I"m calling her "Barrel". Which I guess is Ok, but I could have chosen something a little more obvious....
What a delightful gift to uncover your restorative musings in my inbox! Your prose, in the playful way it dances, invites us to that soulful space where the infinite resides. It's a realm beyond the constraints of time, space, or even the confines of conventions; it beckons warmly, like a cherished friend.
Art, music, and the creative muse hold the keys to this enchanted door. Through your words, you've given us the map, guiding us as we break free from the boundaries of our everyday lives. It's akin to stargazing from within a tent, or feeling transported by a Bach fugue. And for me, it's that magical morning swim under the setting moon or the creative dialogue with newfound companions.
Still savoring and feeling positively satiated. Absolutely delectable. Thank you!
Oh my Celina, I'm blushing and thrilled and inspired and warmed by your words. Thank you SO very much for being here, and for saying these utterly delicious things.
"delicious exhausting abundance," indeed!
And Frederick is my favorite - he made an appearance in a blog post a while back, possibly in the midst of pandemic. This post is a gem, to be revisited.
Ah Frederick. He is such a helpful icon, eh? Such a brilliant reminder to pause and really sit with the colors and the smell of the air. Thanks for reminding me back...
What a marvellous thread of place, time, and season. I adored every word and drawn line. And especially Beryl, of course. I shall savour this later today, again. Will your head not get cold with no hair? (Though presumably woolly hats come into their own?)
Cold head-- definitely a thing I didn't think about when I chopped it this short in March (in honor of Dan's one year deathiversary), with no idea I'd like it so much that I'd need to confront the chilly scalp and ear problem. But then again... WOOL!!! What a good reason to knit more thick fluffy hats. And thank you for your lovely words. Warms my heart indeed. And Beryl (who is a devoted licker), sends kisses ...
The story my mom used to tell us as children was The Little Red Hen https://youtu.be/2E72TZy0LNo. I love this version of it with its illustrations, which show that apparently Little Red Hen was a spinner! 😍 Indeed the dog, the cat and the mouse are quite lazy, whereas Frederick is truly gathering good things, much needed things for the long dark winters. I have now ordered a used copy so that I can read Frederick to our dear granddaughter! Thank you Sarah for sharing all of what you glean from your creative world. When I read your newsletter, I feel as if I am being lavished with all sorts of stories, words, photography, weavings, how-to's, serendipities, etc that I have not worked for but am nevertheless the recipient of! Thank you!
OH wow, those little red hen illustrations remind me of your drawings! Beautiful and so very evocative. And isn't it a thing-- this drive some of us have to work and make and create, and how wild it is to be with people (or cats or dogs or mice) who don't have that passion for making? All these stories are such interesting manifestations about our view of the world: relative goodness and feelings of safety, and what generosity can look like. So many lessons we've absorbed from stories. So many points of view! Love you making in secret for a while too. Speaking of brilliant and important choices.
😍🙏💖
Hi Sarah, my first memory's are of my Grandmother teaching me to cast on 3"double point knitting needles and work my first sock at 2 years old..along with her spynx twaddle sewing machine in her room..it was a 200 year old sick company at that time..she only spoke a very broken polish/english..her big thing was socks.."the floors in Poland are very cold" no one was allowed with out socks on there feet..socks are near and dear to my heart..keep knitting them!! Blessings for the memory..
What a fabulous memory -- and a wooly toe-cuddling manifestation of love and care. Socks really are the best. Thank you for this fantastic image of your grandmother.
How do I turn that into words! Oh my! That is me for sure. I take photos and try to turn the moments into words by writing about them, but sometimes the words to do not come. I love your posts and appreciate all your time put into them.
It's a quandary isn't it -- this word/image balance? Especially when sometimes the photo says it all and yet the words, so very shy, still want to show up. How to entice them????? A never ending practice, eh?
Sarah, the words with their meanings are a special gift to me right now. I have posted how soothing your posts have been as I sat with my ailing mother.
Last week, She passed beyond the rainbow bridge as my granddaughters say and all three of these words resonate with me deeply.
with gratitude
Logan
Oh my Logan. I'm so sorry about your mother. And also, so glad the you were able to help her with her passing to beyond the rainbow bridge (SUCH a beautiful phrase). Such a thing for you to do, and have done. And how I'm thinking of you as you cope with your life on this side of the bridge. All the decisions and feelings and memories that we living folk have/get to carry and cope with. Take care and I hope you can rest and drink tea (or whatever your preferred beverage is -- I found I had a taste for the odd drop of whiskey after my husband died, which was a new thing for me even as I know he'd have found it hilarious and delightful). Sending all my very very best.
I had to order Dictionary of Sorrowful Words!
Spot on about feelings and fun words too. Thanks again for fun and provocative thinking
Carly R
So excited you ordered it! I'm really enjoying having a hard copy now. So fun to open it at random and see what shows up.
SARAH, it was fun to share! I lost my singer red eye spynx in the hurricanes of Florida at the beginning of 2023..along with the remaining family I had..on a brighter note..I just replaced the singer treadle spynx with a centennial singer GoDzilla hand crank! It's wonderful to be able to sew again..gorilla and I are just getting acquainted..sew sews beautiful..I'm working on putting my life and family back together again..all the things I can pass down to my children and family..along with a new start...
Socks a German rate are always a tradition especially when the holidays are coming up..all the best and thanks for being there
OH my word -- what a thing. I'm so so sorry. What a time --and such a thing to rebuild your life, family and tools. Sending you all the very best. Also I'm massively intrigued by your centennial singer hand crank. WHAT a treasure. As a treadle sewing machine girl, I've always been intrigued with hand cranks, but never tried one. So glad she sews beautifully and you're making friends. Inspiring in all ways.
Oh, I missed this one. Last week, I was busy getting quotes for replacing my old HVAC unit and it was ever so taxing. The new one is being installed today so I have the brain space for this brilliance you have shared. Everything works out so perfectly.