Hearts of Hope on paperclip

Well, this blog has been a victim of my success. Several people requested tatting for Christmas gifts. I was tickled to oblige. But, with my normal musical activities, and my prayer shawl knitting, and my chair stitching, I didn’t have time for any other tatting or organ. So, instead of boring you with off topic posts, I didn’t post. I’ve posted on the gifts before, so I didn’t create a new post. I’m finally getting to tatting projects that are new, so here goes my first post in a long, long time.

Shortly after the tragedy at Shady Hook, a suggestion was made to send tatted snowflakes and hearts to help decorate the new school site. Here’s my contribution.

Hearts of Hope on paperclip

I put the Hearts of Hope pattern on a paperclip. I hope they like it.

Music events

Lately, I seemed to be drifting away from my core plan. I have wanted to focus on tatting and organ music. That is exciting, with a multitude of possibilities. I try to spend a bit of each day working through all the ideas that come to me. But, lately, well…..

Each December my calendar fills with not just social parties, shopping, preparing our home for holiday celebrations, but with too many opportunities to sing or play or enjoy other music makers. Over the years, I’ve become a bit of a scrooge with my energy and talents. I’m trying hard this year to choose wisely and with kindness in my heart. So far, so good.

Then life happened. Nothing I can’t handle, but time spent thinking and listening wears a brain down; and brainpower is what brings those ideas to reality.

As I mentioned in the last post, Dave Brubeck is no longer playing with us. He has brought his music to the skies. The special blend of old and new that he gave us will forever be in my heart. I feel great thanks for his life.

Then, I received a true gift. A neighbor was unable to use tickets for the Chanticleer Christmas concert. I could hardly believe what I was hearing, but I did manage to stammer “Yes!!!” and then actually managed to get to the concert and enjoy the magical evening. They create more music that has changed our world that I love. I feel great thanks for experiencing it all.

Finally, in the newspaper this morning, I see that RaviShankar has died also. Another musician blending old and new. He never lost sight of his quest and focus.

So, I will continue to focus and create. Don’t get me wrong! I know I’m not in the same league as these folks. I know I won’t garner as much acclaim. I just wish to give just a small bit to the good and add beauty to the world. There’s just never enough hours to listen, to play, to tat, to live!

Dave Brubeck remembered

RIP Dave Brubeck (1920-2012)

May your melodies play on forever.

Demo at Casa Grande

I apologize for not getting this up right away, but life happened.

Saturday morning I had the great pleasure of demonstrating tatting at a museum. The Park Service has a wonderful facility at Almaden Quicksilver Mine. Here’s a page full of pictures from a recent celebration http://newalmaden.org/AQSPark/CasaGrande/PioneerDay10.html . I shared a table in the corner of the gift shop with the representative from the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale. She brought a pillow and worked those bobbins hard; while I had a corner of the table to sit and tat. It was great fun!

Unfortunately, the picture is stuck on the camera as my laptop refuses to play nice with the camera! Sigh. Life happens.

We’ve also spent our free time cleaning up from the storms that roared through over the last few days. Not much permanent damage, just things getting blown around, leaves all coming down at once, and the persimmons needing to come out of the tree. Our average rain fall for the month of November is just shy of one inch. We’ve gotten close to three inches just last week. Sigh. Life happens. The good news is that there are not that many leaves left to come out of the trees. More time to tat!