And here we are... a warm sunny morning...
And reaching into the 60s again! We opened the window first thing.
You have no idea how hard I worked to get this picture. Just wanted to share our togetherness in welcoming spring.
My pace has slowed. You have probably noticed. Perhaps we can dispense with slow stitch and just go for slower stitch. Slower everything. My life is different. And I suppose that is true of everyone, noting the state of affairs. But. We can keep going the best we can with what we have.
I glanced at the wall, with coffee.
These are the two pieces that used to be one. Haven aka Safe and Open. With top removed. And yet unnamed This sunny morning, a rainbow, or as Bruno says, a bainbow. Created by sunshine through a small prism which was a gift from Michelle, for those who knew her. I'll add one, slower than slowly. To this cloth that teaches me that we are always in between. And it's ok.
Love the in between …and the bainbow.
I think I might say bainbow from now on …😂
Slower allows us to take things in, in a deeper way, letting us discard what no longer works or matters; at least, that is how it is for me.
You speak of Michelle and I too have felt her all the way here in New Mexico. Yesterday I was raking leaves and up she popped into my heart by way of a wonderful leaf card that she had created and sent to me. She drew the mot expressive faces on dried leaves.
My take on why she is coming to you more these days: You have undergone a huge transition and you have done so with honesty, courage and with your extraordinary ability to share what is real in life. Michelle was like that as well from what I got to know of her. She would tell you that you are doing just fine, pivoting when necessary and going straight on, when possible.. She would so love knowing about Bruno and Ruben and I can see her collecting books and a few toys for them. Most of all, she would love trekking to your home. I can see her, stepping inside, greeting Soul-O, perhaps spinning around a bit in joy to take in the whole of your welcoming round house. She would dip into her bag and pull out a bag of brownies that she had baked for you by way of a homecoming gift. Of course, the next thing she would pull our of her bag would be her camera, her third eye and she would marvel at the wonders before her. She was a uniquely, gifted, loving woman who gave us all so much. I’ve only been to New York by way of stopping at airports before flying somewhere else but I feel that I would know her part of New York from her many photos and words.
She was about to plan a visit to my Valley home when she suddenly passed. I think she has visited me here instead. She gifted me an old silk Kimono and I just unpacked it. I will mend it into the season.
I think that many of us are really settling in to what is important to us, what we value most… Slow is a good pace to go at. Thinking a lot about “the long view.”
I agree, at least what we don’t value seems to be clearer.
Beautiful post and comments … this community is so pure and honest. I feel Blessed to be here … Michelle yes that she continues to shine a light onto you is beyond beautiful.
Her gifts have had a lasting impact, especially in these days of turmoil.
Jude~ This is a really fine post, full of life and going, a ‘bainbow’ and a slow life. Just really so lovely. And Michelle here too. ❤️ She was at my blog house the other day too. She’s always with us, yes. xo
She is more present lately…
What a beautiful wall ❤️
I love just looking
Yes 😍💕
hahaha Jude, I’m trying to figure out how you did get that photo! It’s precious. I hear ya…getting older, slower, disappointed in the way the world is going so focus on fabric, plants, trees and the animals. It all goes and will come back eventually. I’m so happy you’re here with us sharing your thoughts and amazing work.
Disappointed, yes, insulted, and baffled. Almost stops me in my tracks, but not quite.
Most lovely window photo with the s*n*o*w looking like striped fabric, stitched onto the dried grasses & roots…. ~peace~
Nice image came to mind…
The photo of you and Soul-O breathing in the almost Spring air.
And the Bainbow… and going slow(er)
Me too, Jude. Me too…every day there is dirt under my nails, my needle set on idle…
Too many things going on, so I sit in the sun and contemplate seeds.
Good for you!
That is a great pic of you at the window. My phone has a time lapse setting to take pics like that. I only figured that out last year! Ha!
And those of us who have been following you for a while now, well, we are all getting older right along with you and slowing down. My intention for this year has been slow and steady. I don’t want to Stop, stop is not good.
The good news IS, that spring is just around the corner! I’m sitting outside today and it feels really sweet!
Hugs
Yes, time lapse!
I don’t think the slowing is due to physical aging, it’s more like a different perspective due to experience and also more challenges now that I have no partner.
And yes spring, it’s here in my mind. The geese agree.
Seeing your window, wondering if you got the “mud rain” up there. Here is Pittsburgh, PA, we are covered in literal dirt from the dust storms in Texas. Looks about like your window. But it is warm and sunny!
Well we have a lot of mud but I moved in when it was real cold so O simply haven’t washed the outside of the windows yet 😅
The mud rain made it all the way to PA? We’re in Southern Illinois and it was a baffling thing to wake up to.
Nice slow✅
🙃
Wonderful picture!
Going through chemo everything is slower, and it doesn’t matter. What gets done is done and everything else waits until its time.
Yes, a different perspective right,, the just going to go on.
I’m so glad you are getting a break from the cold. Thank you for mentioning Michelle. I think of her often.
Yes, she is here in so many ways.
So glad to see you both. The weather has been gorgeous and hopeful, and I’m ignoring the “March is fickle” thing because today is today and it’s beautiful. Today is hope and I love it.
Slowing down, we get to see (or consider) things we never would otherwise. I’m enjoying imagining your feathers as either a path or their own beings. <3
Hello, Jude. 🍓
Opening windows first thing is one of the best ways I know to come alive in the morning. Drinking that blessing in while waiting for the kettle to boil – those moments are sacred in my little corner of creation.
Slowing down seems so rational. It’s like driving a car on a long (fairly straight and familiar) road then coming into an unexpected, long ass curve with a surprise detour through unknown territory. Slowing down just makes sense. If I could tell my younger self just one thing, it would be “Slow down on the curves and through the detours”.
I guess going out to get wood has been my fresh air up till now. A window is so different.
I never knew I could be so slow and still going.
oh Michelle, yes I knew her…..
She left me with many gifts.
odd how objects & posts can suddenly help link us to others….thxXx for helping me remember her
I wondered how the heck you got that photo!
Love the bainbow, sweet that the crystal is from Michelle. Seems like such a long time now that she’s been gone. 😥
I’ll have to demonstrate some time.
Yes, it seems so long ago but then like yesterday.
Beautiful Haven!
Love you and soul-o at the window…. fresh air 💨🕊️
Can’t wait till I can sleep with the windows open.
Somewhere over the bainbow, skies are blue again…
💙