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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Time out



I took time out yesterday. The sky looked so gorgeous I couldn’t sit inside! 

The picture doesn’t do it justice, but the water looked like Hawaii. The bay was clear. You could see fish swimming in the kelp. And the air was clear. We could actually see buildings in Capitola/Santa Cruz. That’s about 25 miles as the crow flies. After weeks of cloudy/misty skies, I just couldn’t help but walk down and linger looking and recharge my soul.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Shuttlebirds cancelled Lace Museum still on tentatively


We spent yesterday discovering what the flooring was like under the carpet in a bedroom. All things considered, it is in pretty good shape.

That took my mind off the fact that Shuttlebirds will be postponing their Tat Days until April 2021. I will plan to teach and enjoy getting to know them in a year.

The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale is still operating, so I hope that we can still hold that workshop. We’ll see what the government decides.

In the meantime, I’m making progress on the Elephant canvas. I think by this time we were to be stitching the final section. I’m just finishing lesson 1. Hope to share a picture soon!

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Challenge with vintage


While most of the world is in Shelter in Place mode, I can’t just sit and not create something. I’m like the kid that can’t sit still; I can’t not create. So, when I saw a post about Tat-a-Renda’s Challenge design, I decided to join in. But, what thread to use?

Her design is starting out like a vintage doily. So, when I spied this bit of vintage thread, I thought perfect!

This is what it looks like so far:

Remember the vintage shuttles I picked up on this trip? Well, this one is labelled Justrite. I do like working with it. I normally don’t like the feel of a metal shuttle. I prefer wood. But, this one is balanced better and almost feels like my ivory shuttle. Since it twists apart to fill, I wondered if it is the inspiration for the Moonlit shuttle. Incidentally, today is the last day to pre-order from Handy Hands. I ordered my bag in blue!

Friday, March 20, 2020

Not words I like to use


Cancel
Can’t

Those words always seem empty to me. I’d much rather be busy with creating and using positive words. But that’s not reality at the present. Don’t get me wrong. I am lucky and fortunate. I have resources, space, and in that mantra of Real Estate, “location, location, location.” We’re able to continue walking for exercise, we have not had to change our eating habits, and for the most part, our days are full of activities very similar to what we did last month, last year, or even last few years. We are fortunate.

So what have we been doing? Catching up and cleaning.

I’ve been organizing and documenting and cleaning. You know, all those tasks you’ll “get around to” someday that you know are really important in the long run. Not quite to the level of getting our affairs in order, more like on the level of “Spring Cleaning” and “getting ready for a move” level. OK, truth be told, I haven’t felt very pressed to do anything. I’ve been just reading and walking and caring for the garden and clothes and cooking. I’ve also been sorting out what’s on the computer. Making a list of what should be on the computer. We’ve got time now.

Time to…..
Take a walk.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Strange times


I am a tatter and a musician because I am. What little I’ve accomplished in the Arts is not solely on talent. Believe me! There’s a lot of sweat equality in every single piece I play, every single pattern I tat. I believe the world needs beauty. During these strange times navigating a response to COVID-19, I cannot keep from creating.

I draw for inspiration the many, many artists and musicians who have gone before me. People who continued to create when there was no need, people who continued to teach when there was no opportunity.

That has resulted in me tatting with a shoelace in a grocery store, talking about Galileo and his career choice of mathematics rather than organist as his father wished, playing the Prelude when the guy at the sound board was playing his favorite Christian Music hit, and generally seeing art and hearing music everywhere.

So, I encourage all of us to continue to create. Answer uncertainty with Bach and Rings/Chains. Give us all a reason to hope and look to tomorrow.

I will be practicing and tatting as I remember a photo of Isaac Stern playing in 1991 on stage, alone, while the audience members sat listening wearing gas masks. (You’ll need to scroll halfway down this page.)

Stay safe and be healthy everyone.

Friday, March 13, 2020

The tough get tatting


The cancellation of the Noon concert took the wind out of my sails yesterday afternoon. I had to sit myself down and remind myself that the Lace Museum workshop is a month away. A lot can happen in 5 weeks. While the news from Sunnyvale and Santa Clara County is grim, so far, I have hope that all will be well in 5 weeks. I also have hope that all will go as planned 2 weeks later at the Shuttlebirds Tat Days. I have not finalized my travel plans, but need to soon.

As I was contemplating the next few days, watching a squirrel under the oak trees, my biggest fan commented, “Well, when the going gets tough, the tough get tatting.”

I’ll be tatting today!

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Cancellation


This afternoon, with a heavy heart, I agreed that the Friday Noon concert series must be suspended. I will not play tomorrow. I hope that music will prevail in this madness. I hope that music will heal and support those who seek it out. 
One of the pieces I had planned to play, not because it was particularly suited to the time of year or such but because I like it and it’s in a minor, is Wer nur den lieben Gott Lasst walten BWV 642 by JS Bach. Here are two links to Youtube files. Enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnGhgPqzjbY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYuvG5lIcLA

I will post regarding 3-20 Noon concert as soon as I can and definitely by Thursday 5 PM. I apologize for any inconvenience this change of plans has caused anyone.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Vintage shopping



When you live in a Historic home, you tend to decorate in “vintage” styles. We have great fun shopping in Thrift and Antique stores. Recently, while shopping with a friend, we discovered this vintage tin filled with vintage thread. The tin took the brunt of wear, which means the thread will be good to tat with. I can’t wait!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

I invite you



To St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas. I will be playing for about 30 minutes beginning at Noon on Friday, March 6, 2020. (That's tomorrow! Yipes!)

The church is at the corner of Pajaro and San Miguel. Parking is available across the street in the lot or on the street. I will be playing 10 pieces all composed in the key of C Major. Each lasts just a few minutes. I drew from repertoire from the 16th century to the 20th century. I really tried to find something I liked written in the 21st century that would be short and easy to listen to, didn’t find anything. I’ll keep looking. Bring your lunch and join us as we explore organ music in the key of C.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Preparation


Preparation is the key.

I practice for hours just to play for people to listen for a few minutes.
I study a pattern and thread beads and wind shuttles to tat a few rings and chains.
I consider and imagine the plan for the garden and add to the soil and sift out the weeds and such to plant a seed.
I gather samples and print handouts and write outlines to teach a workshop.

If I shirk that preparation, the experience of the concert, the lace, the garden, or the lesson is just not going to meet anyone’s expectations.

Yes, I know much is out of my control in all of those experiences. If the talent isn’t there, the willingness and openness is lacking, the water and critters make a difference. But, my preparation is a lot more important.

I’ll be doing a lot of preparation in March. It’s hard to take pictures of preparations. I’m sure you don’t care to listen to the practice. I tend to forget to photograph the progress in the garden. I’ll do my best, but I’ll be busy. Catch up with me at the concert and workshops. Take a lesson or two.

In the meantime, here’s a picture of a trial of Karey Solomon’s Buttonwood: