Sun, what sun???

I took time yesterday for reflecting. Since the fog stayed around well into the afternoon, we didn’t have much to see for the solar eclipse. It did get quiet. And a bit darker for a few minutes. So, we experienced the event, just didn’t see much. Ah well, even if I’m not seeing as often the sunrise show, and the white deer is no longer walking through the neighborhood, our resident yard cat is still coming around for scritches.

Most of my tatting time was spent putting things away. I gathered up the patterns I used for the Fair items. I like to have patterns on hand when I demonstrate. I’ve realized that I am drawn to tatting designs that are as intriguing in the written form as they are in thread. Most of the patterns I use by other designers are readily available on the web or in book form. I usually make a copy that I can mark up with my notes; like what thread I’m using and how much I wind onto the shuttles, what beads I pick, what size picot I use, and any resources I use for tricks and tips. If I’m really going to meet my goals for tatting, I have to keep as good records as I do for music.

The rest of the week I’ll be working on music catching up. I need to work on the harpsichord and plan practice for the sub jobs I’ve committed to. I’d also like to update my material for all things organ in the Monterey/Carmel area. Plenty to do. After a walk to the library and maybe a treat.

Motet

A motet is a short piece of choral music, typically of the Renaissance style of polyphony.

Now before the tatters in the crowd roll their eyes, and the organist harrumph, I bring this up because I think this composition form lends itself very well to my ideas in thread. All polyphony means is separate parts of the music happening at the same time. Like how cloth is woven. I’m thinking of twill; like the cloth used for denim jeans. So, I’m experimenting with the warp left over from the beginning weaving class and the thread left over from the Frauberger triangle. The colors aren’t very complimentary, so I won’t offend your design sense by sharing a picture. It has promise though.

For the local readers, the fire South of Carmel is filling the air with smoke. The plume was very visible Saturday from our house. We’re upwind, so we haven’t dealt with air quality issues. The animals are all spooked. On the hike yesterday, we saw several deer out in the open in places where they would have been hiding. And a coyote on the trail. There’s still room for all creatures to have their space, but it was a bit scary coming around the curve and seeing the predator loping down the trail away from us.

I think I’ll stay indoors and tat and weave and play the organ.

Of preservation and white deer

Today’s post has no pictures, as you can see, and is a recap of previous ongoing topics.

Preserver or restorer?

A good friend recently described his attitude towards things old as being a "preserver" instead of a "restorer." Well, that fits me too. I enjoy the activity of discovery of things old far more than I enjoy the activity of demolishing and rebuilding. My excuse is that I don't have confidence in my skills and the materials available will be up to snuff when compared with the worn but original item. I also think I must have some archaeology tendencies. I can't seem to demolish something when the story it tells seems important and somewhat incomplete.

I improvise on the organ a bit. It’s fun. But, I like to delve into a published composition and bring their ideas to sound. I like to tell a story I imagine, and I like to read stories other people imagine. Same with tatting patterns. I enjoy bringing a string of symbols and letters or a diagram to life in thread.

I fall in the preserver category. There’s an auction this weekend. I’ll be going not to buy a specific thing, but to see what other people have preserved or restored. Yes, I’ll be tatting there as others spend money.

The White deer is a bully.

 She is probably doing what deer Moms do. But, she’s not sharing. She chases the other smaller deer away from her favorite food source. That bothers me a bit. But, what bothers me more is the food source. Our neighbor has been feeding the deer. Throwing fruit and vegetable and scraps from their cooking over the fence. Where there’s prey, there are predators. I think about that as I hear cars parking and doors closing well after dark. There have been coyote and cougar sightings. I worry that a young person just trying to study for the PSAT or working on a robot will not make it to graduation and never get to college. Just my imagination, but I really wish the deer weren’t fed.  

So, I focus on what I can control.

Our "new" house has lots of stories to tell. I know it will disappoint, and I won't be sharing them all. I just don't have the photography skills to keep up. It will also take years to make the house our own. So, I'm off to research what style of design details I should be using as a steward of this home.