"And then my heart warmed before, even, my mind identified the memory."
- Nuala O'Faolain (My Dream of You)
Remembrance
Faces
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| Children in a Mexican Village |
These beautiful faces are looking at you from a photo I made on a trip to Mexico in the mid 1970s. The trip was a gift from my mother and aunt. We traveled together, along with my cousin Chris, for six weeks. Well, they traveled for six weeks. I, on the other hand, changed my air ticket to return one week earlier than originally planned, because I just had to see my boyfriend! What an idiot I was.
If you think it isn't totally stupid to give up a week in Cancun (back when Cancun was unspoiled), let me tell you the rest of the story: When I arrived at the boyfriend's door, souvenir gift in hand (a very nice leather belt), he was unwilling to invite me in because he was entertaining another female.
Do you still think I was not totally stupid? Then how about this: Before I left, in total embarrassment and humiliation, I gave him the gift. Ugh.
At least I had five fabulous weeks with my family, driving around Mexico, seeing many sights and getting some nice photos ... including one of a man who was running away from police and was shot, right before my eyes, on the cobblestone street.
Everything Passes
Everything passes. Nobody gets anything for keeps.
And that's how we've got to live.
- Haruki Murakami
Just a Little Mosaic
Just a little mosaic of recently created items. I'm working on getting them all listed in MY SHOP. It's been a good day to stay inside, with about a foot of snow outside. Fire in the fireplace - thank you, Dre. Awesome pasta dish - thank you, Adeline.
Charlie, Lucille, Oscar, and Me
This is how I justify sitting in front of the tube, watching the Oscars: I sew while I watch. Charlie watches me sew. Lucille just minds her own business.
Begin Anywhere
The beginning is the most important part of the work. - Plato
Plato speaks to me. I understand what he means. If you don't begin, then there is no work. Beginning is key. Go into the studio and do something; do anything.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Lao-Tsu
When I've been procrastinating and paying attention to the ridiculous things, like reorganizing my bedroom closet, the linen closet, and the pantry - Really? YES! - then beginning is, indeed, the most important part of the work.
But once I've begun? Once I've begun, there are all those other most important parts of the work! I know, I know - a superlative applies to just one thing. There can be only one most beautiful girl in the world. So, allow me to rephrase it: There are many aspects which are of the utmost importance. How's that?
What are those aspects? There are the obvious elements - choosing the right pieces of cloth, or thread, or buttons, and so forth. That almost goes without saying. A crucial aspect of the work involves being mindful, being with the piece, caring about the piece. I have to feel the soul of the piece in order for it to work. If it has no soul, then it is not complete. And that's the other element that is as important as beginning: ending. And by this, I mean properly ending. There is no such thing as "good enough." It has to be right. When it is right, it is perfect.
Dre & Adeline with Charlie - A Particular Kind of Perfection
My new mantra, replacing Waste Not * Want Not, is Begin Anywhere. Adeline introduced me to the phrase (it's attributed to John Cage) and I love it! Waste Not * Want Not is an old lady scolding. Begin Anywhere is freedom and encouragement and no judgment. And that's exactly what I need. Maybe you do too.
Lately, when someone asks me for my card, and even sometimes when they don't, I hand them one of these.
* BEGIN ANYWHERE *