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My Adult Time Out

2/27/2018

I just came back home after several days at a crafters retreat. It is a time to work on anything from any genre in the company of some very nice crafty ladies. In a cozy lodge in the middle of the woods it was a wonderful getaway. Some might call it a luxury, but after thinking about it on the drive home, I've come to a different conclusion.

If you've ever been around little kids you know that their behavior gets worse when they are tired, overexcited or bored. And when this happens what do we do? Many times it is to put them in the naughty chair or a time out. And what do we want them to do there? Sit for a while and think things over and perhaps talk about what has happened. After this attitude adjustment we hope there is a happier child who has the ability to cope with daily life better. Wait a minute...isn't that what I just did?

I may be an adult but I will never be too old for a time out. A quiet time. A removal from all that is distracting me. A time to listen to different perspectives and seek out the advice of others. Some things you should never grow out of. So yes, sign me up for another time out please!

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Death Using

2/20/2018

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If you have been keeping up with current reading trends you will notice books about simplifying your life are in vogue. As I get older I have a certain need to do this. And having the experience of helping an older family member downsize her large and cluttered life into an assisted living space it has become a priority. In fact the Swedes have a word for it - dostadning - “death cleaning”.

Some people might find that a bit morbid, but honestly, is it news to you that you won’t be here forever? I hope not. As I have started to root around in closet corners and the back recesses of drawers I have come to some conclusions. Why did I think I needed all this stuff anyway? And if it hasn’t been used in the past year it is most likely going out the door. Surprisingly, I have not found myself running after the garbage truck or buying it back from the donation center, so it is true that I didn’t need it anyway. And it feels so much lighter to have less. To realize that I have so much more than what I need is also a true lesson in humility. It makes me strive harder to make life more about substance instead of things for I have found things so easy to divest myself of. And it has made me invent my own phrase “Death Using”.

Let me explain this “Death Using”. There are some beautiful things in my house. Usually tucked away for holidays or special occasions. But as I clean and rethink the pattern of my days, I have been inspired to take them out. Dust them off. Use the Christmas China everyday in the month of December. Burn the beautiful candles. Make something to give away out of my cache of special craft materials. To death use my beautiful belongings before death uses me. Because we’re all going to go. But I believe what we do before we go matters.

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If This Wool Could Talk

2/17/2018

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I use many materials in my work but I have a special love for wool. I have worked with it in many forms. From holding a newborn lamb to skirting a fleece I know where it begins. I have washed and carded, spun and knit. I have changed its nature by dying it. I search for and collect 100% wool garments to strip into lengths for my wool rugs. I dream of feeling it in my hands. Perhaps I am in love with it.

And every once in a while I find a length of it that really stops me in my work. So it was with a woolen jacket. Instead of being a solid color it was a multicolored muted print. The elbows and cuffs showed some signs of wear so the past owner must have liked it, too. As I stripped it into lengths, I started to wonder, who owned and wore it? Where had this jacket been? Why had it been parted from it’s wearer? Oh, if only this wool could talk.

When I use recycled wool in my rugs and projects it isn’t just because I’m frugal and because it gives me such a good variety of patterns and colors. Or the fact it keeps fabric out of landfill sites, although all of these reasons have merit. This old wool has a feel and character to it that comes through in the finished products. As you sink your feet into a pure wool rug or hold a doll with woolen clothing, I believe the wool will talk to you. Of sheep and color, of places and people. If only you are wise enough to hear it.

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The Best Day Ever

2/13/2018

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Little kids have the right way to look at the world. After spending a weekend with my grandkids, especially my six-year-old grandson, I am convinced of it.

As a grandparent I feel it is my job to make sure the grandkids have a good time every time we are together. I remember how excited my kids were to be spoiled by their grandparents and I want to provide that same feeling for the next generation. So it is a pleasure to plan special activities, make their favorite foods and give them my attention. And the pleasure given is more than equally returned. And part of that return is my grandson’s favorite phrase at the end of every day we spend together - “This was the best day ever!”

If only we would all say that. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and for many it will be a special day. But it shouldn’t take a holiday to make a day special. We need to look at each day with thankful eyes and the heart of a six-year-old. When a day goes well. When we spend time with people we love. When we have enough food to eat and a warm place to spend the night. Because, in truth, that makes each day “the best day ever!”

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