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.

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!

I'm prepared....I think!

I usually don’t get nervous when I play. I have been well schooled in how to practice and perform. When you start very young, not playing often upsets you more than playing. Since I’m coming to giving workshops later in life, I’ve experienced nerves. Geesh!

Anyway, I think I’ve prepared sufficiently for the workshop Monday. Update as I unpack afterwards.

It’s been challenging to keep working on ideas. The mailman delivered the brochure for Bach Fest 2019. So much music! I finally had to hide the brochure with all the concerts listed so I didn’t pick it up and distract myself. I need to put the sketches for BWV 549 into thread. I’ve got all these options.

Time to get to work!

The next few weeks

Christmas is coming soon. This year will be very fun! On the calendar are parties with friends and family. Dates I’m playing for services. Oh, and yes, shopping and gift wrapping. What fun! All in 6 short weeks. Yes, I know Christmas Day is in 4 weeks. We’re celebrating all 12 days of Christmas this year! More later. Time to get crackin!

Matilda by  Lee Hye-oon

I took a few moments to try out this pattern. Thank you, Hye-oon  for sharing your design. And thank you Georgia for bringing us news of this wonderful designer. Her book is definitely on my list!