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What does a gal actually need?

4/22/2019

 
Picture
You never know what is going to happen
 on a trip to our cabin. 
Sometimes the Glacier Lilies are blooming,
and all is peace and birdsong and rattlesnakes.
Picture
Sometimes, like last week,
I find that a chunk of the roadbed 
has been almost completely washed away by recent rains.
Picture
Tea, tunes and spindles always help
with the inevitable transitional melancholy
Picture
​Also nettles, knitting, and a sketchbook.
Picture
I usually bring far too many projects
as I never know 

what these steep, prickly hills
and my solitary self 
will offer, suggest or demand, 

Picture
And a big pile of possibility
always seems a good idea when I'm at home
where distractions are everywhere.
Picture
Those of you who got last week's newsletter
might remember that I do try to limit myself,
for experience has taught me
that too many choices 
actually makes makes it harder
to settle in.
Picture
But even though I removed
several things from the pile
I still arrived 
with more than I could handle
and ended up storing a couple of things in the car
so I wouldn't  see them.
Picture
Because it turned out
that 
what I really needed
was to wander around in my muck boots
​between rain storms
Picture
and devote hours of each day
to spinning  
the last of the yarn
​for this project. ​​
How could I possibly forget
Picture
how easily I am amused?
Picture
David
4/23/2019 09:56:03 am

Oh Sarah... I’m not sure I can express how welcome and much-needed this post, and your stories, and your beautifully colored ink drawings and... and... and just the entire thing... has been to me this morning. Some days, the world and one’s place in it feel too challenging or too sad or too gray or... simply too much... and then along comes this.

Thank you. Please know that sometimes living vicariously is a way, a means, a path back to living joyfully in one’s own real life. I needed to read and smile at this today.

That said, please don’t let me or this note put any pressure on you to perform such miracles all the time, or to perform at all. I just wanted to let you know that this had a wonderful effect on me, and to thank you for it.

Y
4/23/2019 10:40:44 am

I ditto your reply. Some people do not understand one’s need for solitude .

g
4/23/2019 11:25:52 am

How true, I constantly fight the battle - needing solitude without wanting to offend those who don't understand the need.

Judy
4/23/2019 10:08:47 am

It is a dark, very soggy (again), sad day. 4 months since my wee very old girlie dog has been gone. It's so very good to know that others take too much! Oh you have no idea how reassuring it is to read that from someone so accomplished and so amazingly productive! And that you too experience a melancholy transition...thank you so very much. I will go easier now, this has lightened my day,

Juliann
4/23/2019 11:17:05 am

I see weaving those colors in a twill pattern. I know you are "into" balanced weave right now. The colors are lovely.

L J
4/23/2019 11:25:37 am

Hello Sarah, I also echo the comments others have written. Having spent my whole adult life in the hustle and bustle of a large city with whirring computers and copiers, too many co-workers, too many "very mportant meetings" (yawn)... I blissfully retired to a small rural town in the heart of the Midwest, and yet I find I still need ever more solitude to be with myself, learn who I really am - not who I needed to "pretend" to be for the sake of a paycheck. Carefully guarding my solitude so others will not come and claim the quiet times where I spin and weave. I so enjoy your blog! It makes me feel happy to hear of your stories, adore your sketches and paintings... I look forward to all of them eagerly ! Bless bless!

morgan clifford link
4/23/2019 11:37:11 am

Sarah, It's ALWAYS a treat to see your new entries. Thank you for sharing your life. Bless you.

Peg Cherre link
4/24/2019 06:45:37 am

I couldn't agree more!

Nicole
4/23/2019 11:39:12 am

I like your bubble writing! :) Makes me want to draw some words now.

And I know in the video you're spinning off your deck, but the perspective made me wonder: Have you ever tried spinning off your roof?

Gerri
4/23/2019 11:51:42 am

Ditto on ditto for the need for solitude!

Also, that awkward transitional time when I get some, even if it's in the city because the Hub is off. Definitely when we head to our rustic spot.

I, too, struggle with bringing too much. I know less can be freeing but it's so hard to walk away from the other projects clamoring and connected to creative desires.

Enjoy your time and may the roadbed situation get corrected as needed.

Thanks!

Jennifer Edwards link
4/23/2019 02:13:12 pm

Wow! That is some confident spinning right there! And my goodness how your spindle just keeps on spinning!! I envy your ability to get away and have solitude, a delicious thing for sure. I wonder how I would actually experience total solitude for a week...it is something I dream of but I guess the reality of it may not be quite so dreamy as I imagine. Then again...perhaps it is! All the best to you Sarah!!

Debra
4/23/2019 05:00:17 pm

Several years ago I saw an article that said Pueblo women would spin off the roof of the cliff dwellings. Imagine how much yarn you could spin from there! Also, how far you would have to go to retrieve the spindle should it fall ....

Giuliana
4/23/2019 05:31:44 pm

Sarah, the first reply from David says it all! Have a wonderful break at your solitary cabin.

I spotted a yellow hepty spindle!! is it a laser printed one? or painted wood. I bought one of your son's heptys and I love it😉 Fancy! a hepty in Australia!

pat cooper
4/23/2019 06:43:55 pm

Soooo glad to hear that others bring to much along. When we go out in the RV I always pack to many projects, and inevitably find one on the road, at a perfect yarn shop with perfect yarn, sigh. I have started taking a NEW something that I want to learn and devoting a goodly amount of time to that. Outhouses are much better without doors, except I guess when it rains.

Margaret Stone
4/23/2019 08:35:29 pm

Ah Sarah. Wonderful as always. Can we see the wedding dress please? Hope you haven't done what my M-I-Law did and cut it up to make lampshades!
Your dedication to the spindle is inspiring.....

Barbara Rickman
4/24/2019 03:21:32 am

Solitude. The modern human is no longer knows that they need the earth, sky, rocks and SILENCE! It is why I get up so early. The house is quiet and I can pray the rosary and say the Divine Office and only then get up and face the world. Coffee, kefir, two hours later, medication, then go break, scutch, comb and prepare flax for spinning. But the silence simply MUST come first.

Donna Wynn
4/24/2019 05:07:26 am

Sweet Sweet Sarah!

I am always delighted by your blog posts and each time I read them it is like receiving a gift! Your words, your projects, your drawings, your wit, your sweet self are poured in them and it certainly keeps me coming back for more. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us ... what an inspiration you are to me and all who come here for a visit. You are truly living the fiber life and it makes me want to dig in even deeper into my own! (I'm still trying to get used to the whole fringeless technique!!)
Blessings to you my friend! Happy everything in your life!!!!!

Renee
4/26/2019 03:02:47 pm

I am always and continuously amazed by your ability to see a project through to its intended end. I am sure there are many distractions along the way both internal and external. Yet, here you are with this phase of this project ended. Lovely.
I also understand the need to sometimes cut back the plethora of choice that discombobulates... it is so easy to bog yourself down in them and less done than you originally planned. Putting some away where you can’t see or be distracted by it makes perfect sense!


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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