Glory

Just a word. We can use it as a noun or verb. Add a few letters and Glory becomes Glorious. Will June 2020 be Glorious?

A different June

June 2020

This will be a different June. The June of my youth was a time to rest, shift gears to summer, to do something different. The June of my adult years has been a time to shift a bit, engineer a bit of family vacation, shift gears to summer, and clear up after another year of school activities. This June will be a different June.

I’ve been clearing up. I’ve shifted gears already. I’ve been doing things differently. I keep hanging on to what I can: walks by the Bay, exploring organs and organ literature, tatting new designs. Will it be enough?

I think that’s my take-away from June 2020. Enough is different this year. Staying healthy is enough. The rest is Glory.

Substitutions

Since my injury, I’ve been on a journey of last minute gigs for organ jobs. I’m the substitute in the wings colleagues call when life happens. Almost each time it is for a happy event: babies coming early, winning a trip to a wonderful location (Paris!), and receiving a gift of time with a treasured friend. Sometimes the events are not so cheerful. Last week I received one of those breathless "I have good news and a request" calls. I filled in Sunday, will fill in Wednesday and a few Fridays. More information on those Noon concerts in a later post. Right now I must gather my music and shoes and get busy!

Good thing I finished all the samples for the workshops last week!! Pictures have already been shared as much as I’m allowed. You’ll just have to sign up for Sunnyvale Lace Museum or Shuttlebirds Tat Days to join in more fun with those patterns. Classes are filling, so get your application in (scholarships are available for new tatters).

Geometric in life

wrapping paper pattern

box pattern

I observe patterns in life. It’s what I do; as a musician, tatter, weaver, Mom, homeowner.

I found these on wrapping paper and Kleenex boxes. They inspire.

I’ve been working on the bookmark. I had an “aha” that really helps. This pattern has beads added at joins. That means they are loose until you need them on the picot as you join. I wanted the beads to be random, but not pool in color splotches. How to keep track of them? I loaded them on a length of sewing thread as I was loading the rest of the beads onto the shuttle threads. Here's a good explanation of the technique:  http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes/beads.html 

So far, so good. I can use the sewing thread to pop the bead onto the picot when it’s time to fumble with the crochet hook, paperclip, and shuttles. Did I mention that the beads are too close to the size tatting thread I have to needle the thread with glue? That means I would have to get creative with thinner thread to put the bead on the picot anyway. I’m going to take time today to put the beads onto a length of beading thread. That will make things go faster as I can coax the waxed thread back through the bead easier than the sewing thread. I’ll have enough done for pictures next week.

But first, I’m off to figure out why the tree leaves are shriveling and dropping all over the floor by the tatting chair…

It's August...already

Can you tell that the computer does not dominate my time?

With apologies to those who follow this little corner of cyberspace, I have managed to get back to a normal daily life. I think. More on all this as it’s appropriate. I have no wish to show you what I’ve been eating or talk about other mundane daily activities. I have set a goal to post Tuesday and Thursday; at the very least.

As a teaser, I’ll say the posts will include my progress on tatting the patterns in the Master TAT binder, working on the blue version of the Saint Saens, tatting a motif based on a Bach piece, and learning more about web programming to volunteer as keeper of the Homework blog. That should do it for, oh say, 6 weeks!

Spring is here

I love spring. I live in a Mediterranean climate. That means there’s always something in bloom. There’s always yard work. There’s always a weed growing. There’s always something to plant/prune/feed/water; especially water. We haven’t had as much rain this year as we should. We’ve lost a couple of things. Mostly because our drip irrigation wasn’t dripping. Puts a new spin on being a drip. I hope to keep up this summer. The foot is still not 100% which makes it difficult to stay on top of chores. I need to ask for help.

 

Off to think up a list of those I could call on.

On to round 3

I’ve been forced to take a break from the Saint-Saens. I need to carve time to try out some ideas for Round 3. That will entail a trip to the bead shops. I could order on line, but I try to support local small businesses considering I’m a kindred soul.

 

There are just so many leaves to rake and moving back in to the fixed part of the house. I will get back to it.

 

 

And where did November go?????

First off….I’m OK. The area of USA that we live is prone to Earthquakes; but that’s not what disrupted our house. I can usually handle one or even two small disasters; and moving doesn’t normally phase me. I’ve handled remodels in the past without moving out or getting storage lockers. Well, this time, it has thrown me. I’m misplacing things, running out of energy in the afternoons, and getting overwhelmed far too quickly to manage the whole process. Good thing our daughter is moving back in. She will be able to handle a lot of her things on her own. So, now we get some termite damage fixed and then we’ll be set to get back to normal.

I completed a huge project last month: a prayer shawl. I knit with a Knitting Board loom. I’m very pleased with the way it all turned out. It took a day or so to get a decent photo. Scanning is so much easier the way I have the computer set up. Then, the photo disappeared. I can’t find it anywhere. Not on the cameras (yes, plural), not on my phones (yes, plural), not on the computers (yes, plural). I guess I just thought I had taken the picture. Anyway, the shawl turned out well. The yarn was fun to work with. It’s a very fast repeat of 6 different fall colors. That made it look rather heathery. I’m sure it will warm and brighten someone’s day.

Next project: Move back in and sort out. Then it’s on to Christmas. However, I may have to postpone some of the sorting until after the holidays. Gee, that will make me sad….hehehe.

a rose is a........smile

I have a few roses in my back yard here. Nothing spectacular. Not like the test gardens in Portland. That’s another of my favorite places in the world. Walking around the beds and seeing the blooms always brings a smile to my face.

 Anyway, I have some carpet roses and a climber. I tried to keep it simple. Every spring, we get over-run with aphids. This year, I tried to watch really close. We have fruit trees in our yard, so I’m reluctant to spray too much. I just may have to this year. Looks like I need a third batch of lady bugs. They have helped, but not enough. I also have the Peace rose I’m trying to get established. I think it will survive and grow. I think…….

I think I’ll take my tatting out onto the bench and see if I can cheer on the lady bugs. Go eat ‘em!

of birthdays and bucket lists

I recently celebrated a birthday. Not one of THOSE birthdays. I am over 50, which I’m proud to have celebrated. You see, when I was much, much younger, it was recommended I have a lump biopsy. Thus began my “benign” dance with life. Even though I have never had a diagnosis of cancer, a biopsy is still surgery. It can throw a wrench in your schedule! And bring your dreams and hopes and aspirations into sharp focus: “someday” becomes “next year” and “after I finish” becomes “whenever I can”. I’ve been very lucky. I finished school, got married, raised 2 children, worked in several career fields, and generally enjoyed life.

So, what’s in the bucket list? I emptied that a long, long time ago! I decided a bucket list is for those who have not been focused in their goals. I’ve been very happy with my goals, adjusted them often, and accomplished what was really important. I think. Well, I did lose that folder of papers last month. Perhaps I should find it today. I think it was under that stack……….wait a minute…..is this important?? Well, yes….sigh!

musings on Norris book

Have you ever wondered why you keep something around? For “someday”??? For “giving out on loan”??? For “remembering the person who gave it to you”???

Well, I have kept a book my mother sent me eons ago. I don’t even remember when. I can guess as she wrote in the cover that she was reading it, so that means before the Alzheimers got serious. The title is “The CloisterWalk” by Kathleen Norris. It’s slow going for me. I don’t have as much time for reading now as I used to. I find myself rereading sections as I can’t remember what the take away was. Occasionally I find myself giggling. As when I read, “You never really finish anything in life,” she says, “and while that’s humbling and frustrating, it’s all right.” (pg. xiii) This is not a quote of her words, but a quote she used; a friend educated by the Benedictines talking about her sanity with regards to time.

Maybe that’s why I have so many unfinished projects??? No? Well, it was a thought…….

I’m sure I’ll find other things to share here about the book. It’s available in both my local libraries. I’m sure it’s available for purchase too. I just never seem to spend money on books when there’s so much thread to buy!

Tomorrow Jane will release the next section of the TIAS 2013. I don’t have a good guess as to what we’re tatting. Stay tuned though…..

the month of September

September has been a month of two steps forward and three steps back. I refuse to spend any more energy on the three steps back. So, what has the forward progress been about? Well, enjoying some time camping, healing my wrist, helping my kids make the transition to another year phase in life, enjoying the sunrise and sunset when the weather cooperates, and of course teaching the tatting class. Someone asked me recently if I am rich. Yes, I am. I have a home that can be described with all kinds of positive words, I have a strong marriage, two independent children who can be described with all kinds of positive words, I am talented and have been able to find ways to share the talents. From the look I was receiving, I guess the question was more about money. To which I say: that hasn’t been a huge priority for me. I tend to live frugally and focus on what I can do each day. So, on with the day….after I watch the hummingbirds at the feeder while the sky clears.

after a long hiatus

Life has been lively lately. If I look at what I wrote down months ago for goals and see what I’ve accomplished, I get upset. If I look at what others around me have accomplished with my help, I smile. Guess what?? I’ve been smiling a lot lately. All that is hard to document in this blog. So, I say, life is good.

The sun is rising after I awake now, so I can see some spectacular sunrises.

The Fall term is starting for college kids I’m connected with. Their energy and liveliness is wonderful.

Our Sacred Threads ministry is up and knitting and stitching and bringing God’s peace to many.

The small number of tatting students I’ve been privileged to work with are sharing their talents with a whole lot of people.

Our Organists Guild chapter is embarking on reaching out to other musicians that love the organ.

So, to paraphrase Handel, and I again I say life is good!