25 Nov
Winter Night
Pile high the hickory and the light
Log of chestnut struck by the blight.
Welcome-in the winter night.
The day has gone in hewing and felling,
Sawing and drawing wood to the dwelling
For the night of talk and story-telling.
These are the hours that give the edge
To the blunted axe and the bent wedge,
Straighten the saw and lighten the sledge.
Here are question and reply,
And the fire reflected in the thinking eye.
So peace, and let the bob-cat cry.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay
8 Nov
Ran across these at the msp airport in a store called Zozo. Didn’t see who the artist was but they were $299 each. Would that I were rich rather than so good looking… Ha! Anyhoo, thought they were just brilliant!
24 Oct
Skullie Matchbox
Ghanese Doll
18 Oct
So I got the coolest Dio de los Muertos doll from a swapper named agonysdecay on Swap-bot. She has a great Etsy store too, of the same name. I was just blown away at the accuracy of the altered doll. She’s about 10″ tall. Not the best picture I’ve ever gotten but you can see how detailed she is. It always amazes me at the talent out there.
Dio De Los Muertos Doll
Side view with jug
12 Oct
Sweater Classes Office in the Park
So Mom and I went to our first knitting class last Saturday. We learned to cast on and knit. That’s right folks, KNIT. As in “Why, yes, I am knitting.”!! Ha! Very exciting for me. The only problem so far is that the class takes place at an outdoor farmers market in Albuquerque. Not so bad in itself but occasionally they roast a batch green chiles for someone and we have to try to keep the drool off of our yarn. Perhaps we should wear bibs?
7 Oct
A couple of blankets I finally finished for the Linus Project. They give blankies to kids in emergency situations, hospitals, shelters, wherever they might be needed.
21 Sep
A couple of “Halloween” themed ATCs I’ve made for a swap. The top one made me think of “The Halloween Tree” by Ray Bradbury. Read it if you haven’t.
Also I’m not the only crafty one around the homestead. This is a picture of the blankets my Mom makes using “Swedish Embroidery”. Pretty huh? These ones are a few years old but she has said she is going to make curtains for our house like this. I suffer alot.
21 Sep
As anyone can tell, I do alot of swapping on Swap-bot. It’s been a wonderful creative outlet for me and has really challenged my craftyness and creativity. Recently I was invited to join a group called “Fantastic Art Dolls” – nope, never made one in my life. Art dolls are dolls for display only, truly artistic dolls. Many of them are very abstract and some are very detailed. It’s been a whole new world for me. Like I needed another one… Ah well. So the following is my first attempt at an Art Doll. The swap was for Creepy Dolls – witches, mummies, spookies in general.
The doll is called “Ghosts of the Old House”. Made from an old door knob plate and other little pieces. Husband said it was “not uncreepy” and that is probably the best compliment I could ask for. It being the first one I’ve tried I’m a little nervous about how it will be received. That’s the hard part of crafting – waiting for the judgment on your project. Most people are just happy to get something handmade and are very nice but you’re always sure you’re going to run into the meanie that’s going to be a little too “honest”. The funny part is is that I’ve never run into that person! In my experience crafty people are just great people.
17 Sep
Made this little guy for a swap by the titles name. I found the cute monkey cutout at Michaels and then spooked him up some.
10 Sep
OK, I’ve had it. Between the mosque near the Twin Towers site and the Rev burning Qarans I have just had it. What has happened to our citizenry? I believe that most Americans are fairly middle of the road, salt of the Earth people. But then I hear that 40% of our population thinks Obama is a Muslim. I guess the whole thing during the election with his AME paster was just for the good press?! Truly, I’ve had it.
As a person of moderate intelligence, raised in no church, having never felt the need to attend any church, I think I’m pretty open minded and fair. I have come to understand Fundamentalist Christian views (thank you Kendra), I have endeavored to wrap my head around Catholicism, spent much of my highschool years with my Jewish friends, worked with American Muslims, hung out with Buddhists and Pagans and Wiccans. What I have discovered is that all of these religions are very lucky to have the followers they do because if you only listened to the leaders that get airplay you’d run screaming from them all. What I’ve learned is that you can’t throw everyone in one box with a neat little title on it and think that you’ve got it all figured out. My sister, Kendra, the Fundamentalist Preachers wife, has my utmost respect because she truly lives her faith. While she and I may disagree on some things she has never castigated me or my life style. She has never been anything but supportive and a great sister. And yet, when I say “My sister is a fundamentalist Baptist.” you can just see the “character icon” pop in to place in other peoples minds. It’s sad because she’s the best advertisement for her faith there is.
I see the same thing when one says “Muslim” – “9/11, Nation of Islam, terrorist”. How sad. That’s like thinking that Jerry Falwell represents all Christians – Catholics, Mormons, Greek Orthodox, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Mennonites, etc., etc.
We all remember that this is the country founded on Freedom of Religion, right? Why will we tolerate from one church what we would never tolerate from our government? Personally, I think attacking a religion based on blind prejudice and ignorance is not only just repugnant but also anti-American. So the 9/11 terrorists were Muslim. Let’s see – Hitler was a Christian, Tim McVeigh was a Christian, Franco was Catholic, the man who assassinated Ghandi was a Hindu. So how much does what church you belong to predicate your behavior?
Isn’t there enough wrong in the world for us to be worrying about other than who is practicing their religion where. How about we start demanding that our religious leaders stand up and live their faiths and lead by example? How about we ask them to help with the real problems in the world rather than making up yet another boogie man to scare people with? And if they can’t or won’t do these things, how about we just stop listening to them?
