FIBER & ME ~ February 2004

If one can tune out the weather alerts, the howling winds, the rattling branches, the ice pelting against the windows, the popping wood in the fire, winter is really a quiet time. The television isn't so loud or on so often----around here, no TV but lots of old movies---and the radio plays softly in the kitchen. Marshall sometimes plays his guitars or harp and I sometimes strum my dulcimer late in the evening. Snow crunches underfoot, but no clacking of shoe heels on pavement. Thoughts are quiet as well, concentration on the certainty of bad weather and how one will cope. And, thankfulness for blessings of love, shelter, food, companionship, talents and furballs.

My cottage garden sleeps under a quilt of snow with only the seed heads of the golden rod bending in the wind. In the sunshine, it is a beautiful tapestry of form and shadow, hue and tone. The picket fence shadows the south edge. Snow and ice caught on the points shine brightly by sun or moon. I am always amazed by the many colors snow can be------------brilliant white, deep blue or charcoal grey. Dried flower stalks, rose canes, and weeds bend and sway in shades of brown, green, grey. Oh this hasn't been a bad winter (as winters
out here in the wilderness go), but it has outlasted it's welcome. We've had snow, sleet, rain, thunder and a beautiful Northern Lights show. So, let's work on this spring thing. The birds second my plea as I have 2 pair of Eastern Bluebirds which showed up last week, Mom has some Jenny Wrens and my covey of Quail is eating all the left over bird seed the others drop. When the wind howls I fear for their safety.

I have been working on a wool quilt made from ponchos I cut up into squares. It's for a lady in Ohio and it's red, white and grey. Kind of fits the season. I hope to finish it this weekend. Many more projects are lining up behind.

And I have been spinning some ingeo (made from corn). Blending it with bits of dyed wool and angora, plying it with wool or some grey angora. It's a bit stiff when first spun, but after a short wash in lavender soap and some handling it is nice. I think it needs the time to bloom as does angora. Not everything is instant. Some things are worth the wait.

Another project I completed yesterday was to cover the seats on a couple of cherry library chairs with some fabric I wove. When I bought the chairs they had polyester double knit in a blue/pink paisley pattern on them. Ugh! So I warped up my Harrisville for a plain weave with forest green and navy blue wool, added a stripe or two of some blue/green/yellow silk every so often and wove with two strands of fine mercerized cotton -one in cornflower blue and one in PURPLE. Sounds goofy----------but it looks GREAT! I washed the fabric rather harshly by hand, rinsed in Downy fabric softener, and line dried. Then I cut the pieces to size, overcast the raw edges and stapled away. The chairs are just beautiful and the purple hue is a great accent for the cherry wood.

I am weaving on a Lord of the Rings cloak, inspired by an article in HANDWOVEN. Marshall said he would wear it if I wove it. On New Year's Day I went off for a walk in the woods---which I do every year. I took note of the sky, trees, stream, grasses, weeds, birds, stones---blues, grays, greens, yellows, browns---and textures they held. I searched my stash for interpretative yarns and found seven which blended nicely and reminded me of my woods. Cotton, wool, rayon. (Never having been to New Zealand or Middle Earth myself, I had to work with what I knew---my woods.) And I am weaving it with a forest green fine wool. Then I plan to edge with it with another yarn when the cloak is
finished. Nine yarns in all for the nine members of the fellowship. I couldn't sleep last night so I wove for about 3 hours in the middle of the night with celtic music playing softly in the background. Made for a nice winter evening by the fire. Precious, Tinker Bell and Ginger slept by the loom. And, I find I didn't miss the sleeping time---and was proud of the yardage woven!

I am determined this will be my year--------my time, my life, my talent, my love, my furballs. This shall be the year I break free of the corporate world, the concrete, the indifference and make my way by the gifts God has bestowed upon me. I was taught if one doesn't use the gifts, the talents, He will take them back. And I think that is so very true. So I have made some changes on my web site, added some new items, tried some new methods and paths, planned for some new directions, challenged Marshall to keep me focused and in line (ok, get up off the floor, it's not THAT funny!), and set a date in my mind for my city exodus. Wish me well and send buyers my way!! And, I am working on some new educational things for schools and libraries as well. The path ahead will be challenging, but it will be my path. Sometimes a farmeress has to do what a farmeress needs to do!

My companion has enrolled in an accelerated college course to earn another degree. So his plate is full as well. Homework at his age! But he still finds time to play and sing, laugh and smile. And, he does love cheese and crackers! We are planning a wedding sometime in the first half of the year. It will be a simple soiree for we are simple people. It's the finding the time and the deciding that's challenging right now. Too many details even for a simple thing.

Well, the hour is late and I do want to read thru my garden catalog one more time before bed. I'm ready to turn the earth, plant new promises, raise new beginnings. We may not be here on this place for the harvest, but we will plant just the same. In a way I feel like my pioneer ancestors. A new beginning, a new tapestry to weave, new horizons to live. And, Marshall's smile to guide me.