Rumi, Superheroes, Panopticon, and other miscellany

Come! Whoever you are!
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. Come!
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
It doesn't matter if you've broken your vow a thousand times,
still come!
And yet again, come! - Rumi

Check out Scrapmaker's Jan. 31 entry here. Especially if you knit or love superheroes!


Fascinating post today from Red Shoe Ramblings: here.

Valentine quilt - washed, dried, wrinkled

Raw edge applique; 23 x 21 inches. I love the wrinkled look of quilts that have been washed, especially when there are raw edges to fray.











The first 2 pics are with the flash. The next two, the yellow ones, are without the flash. I'm amazed at the difference.

I think Mila will like it. I know that she won't be too picky about details.

January Reading and Valentine quilt

I have enjoyed all of these books, although some less than I initially hoped. The stars indicate my favorites.

1. The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
2. The Next Step in the Dance by Tim Gatreaux
3. The Friendship Test by Elizabeth Noble *
4. The Clinic by Jonathan Kellerman
5. Smoke and Shadows by Tonya Huff
6. Breaking Faith by Jo Bannister *
7. The Headmaster's Wife by Jane Haddam
8. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood *
9. How to Seduce a Ghost by Hope McIntyre
10. Shadow Man by James D. Doss *
11. Tears of the Dragon by Holly Baxter
12. The Practice of Deceit by Elizabeth Benedict

Time for another trip to the library, and I have 3 books ordered from Amazon.com.

I've been working on Mila's Valentine quilt. I started this last year, and it was my first attempt at an "art quilt." Fee asked why it was so small and encouraged me to make it larger. I did add some borders, but I finally put it away unfinished. Having made several small quilts and wall hanging in the intervening time, the idea of a small quilt for Mila doesn't bother me now - it is a wall hanging, not a comfort quilt.

Here it is now that I've finished all the applique stuff, and before putting together the "sandwich." I'm not crazy about it, but it was my first attempt and has significance for that reason. I learned a lot from it and am still learning as I continue quilting it. When quilting is finished, it goes into the washing machine because for that homey effect. Then I'll see if I want to fold it and put it away to remember what not to do or put a sleeve on and give it to Mila.

Mostly Mila

Erin sent some pictures of their time in France with the "other grandparents." Everyone looks to be having a wonderful time.

Obviously Mila's bangs are reaching the point of vision interference, not that it slows her down any. She can certainly see well enough for chocolate and art.

But maybe a haircut is in order...









Here is a clean machine fresh from her bath.




Ella generously shares her ice cream cone.

Mila and Erin; someone is praying that someone will take a nap.

Mila's French Adventures

Erin, Yves, and Ann

Yves, Ella, Eric, Mila

Eric's Dad (the other Grandfather), Mila, Erin

Eric's Mom, Maria, (the other Grandmother), Mila, Erin





Below: Mila and cousin Ella. They evidently had a fine time together.

Reading Nook

Here is Mac waiting for me to join him in our favorite chair. He loves this chair, and if he even thinks that I'm headed toward it, up he goes to wait for me.

This poor recliner used to belong to my husband. Then I told him that it was going to the recliner dump and moved another chair to his television viewing site. But I couldn't get it out by myself and ended up sitting and reading here - still with the intention of disposing of it. Gradually, however, the comfort of this piece of junk became so much a part of my life that all thoughts of disposal vanished. I don't care how it looks, I love it. Fee occasionally makes a few caustic remarks concerning my "deceptive takeover," but mostly ignores it. Bless him. Mac and I would be lost without it.

Greek Myth and Modern Re-telling

Finished reading The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. Odysseus (Ulysses) has always interested me. Kirk Douglas' Ulysses in the 1950 movie version remains a visual in my mind, especially the part with the cyclops. Tennyson's poem Ulysses, which I really like - lovely, quotable lines such as "always roaming with a hungry heart," "to rust unburnished, not to shine in use," "as though to breathe were life," "to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield," too many to mention. And Dante's assigning Ulysses (Odysseus) to the 8th level of hell in The Inferno - even though Dante obviously admired him. Ulysses, The Trickster. The Trickster character is always a favorite with me; not in real life, mind you, but in literature I love Tricksters.

Atwood takes another view of Ulysses' return home and subsequent slaughter of Suitors and Maids. Or two views. Atwood examines the slaughter of the Suitors from Penelope's view and from the view of the hanged maids. Hmmmm. Penelope tells her tale in Hades -from childhood on, including parental failings. "Since being dead...I've learned some things I would rather not know, as one does when listening at windows or opening other people's letters. You think you'd like to read minds? Think again." She goes on to give her version of events in an explanation, an excuse, a deciphering of events that still may elude her.

But the maids, in the form of a Greek chorus, also make their comments, reminding the audience of the difference between royalty and slaves. These sections are my favorite. The use of the chorus, which interrupts Penelope's narrative at key points, keeps you questioning both Homer and Atwood.

It isn't that Greek literary events are beyond my understanding: murder, mayhem, incest, regicide, patricide, infanticide are still a part of life in every culture. It is the mythological/psychological (Greek/Modern) status of these events that differs.

Anyway, in this very short little book, Atwood examines events with a different agenda and uses two different points of view that make you think - not so much about the question of truth in the tellings (which version is accurate and how accurate?) - but about the human need to justify and to seek justice. The brief suggestion of a female-goddess cult was also intriquing and as was the use of number theory (importance of twelve and thirteen). I love The Mystery of Numbers by AnneMarie Schimmel.

"Immature Dragon Frolics in the Sea" JQC2006

Wed. -I finished my journal quilt (again). Realized that I had not done any sewing or fiddling or creative all day, and decided to put the binding on and call it done. At least this one is the right size.
Thurs. - Pictures are now uploaded to Picasa, and I'm ready to put this entry together.














Notes

1. Used gold tissue paper for the dragon, who is a bit too glittery, and I'll try to tone him down. Background is blue tissue on lime green felt, and highlighted with gold ink, white ink, and some metallic powders. Fabric pieces of waves are fussy cut and all is applied with some dabs of fabric glue for the nonce. Can use blue bamboo fabric for binding; gold metallic thread for quilting.
















2. Used Golden gel medium on him after giving him more distinct features with a fabric pen. The gel medium will protect the ink and dulls him down a bit. Maybe one more coat...This fellow came from an embroidered Mandarin Dragon robe; I had seen him somewhere else as a detail, then last night, found another picture and realized that he had been the main feature on a beautiful garment. He (well, the original, to which my dragon bears only a passing resemblance as I could not begin to include all of the detail) is known as The Rising Celestial Dragon, and the robe is from the Qing Dynasty 1796-1820. My dragon will be, oh, Immature Dragon Frolics in the Ocean, or something.












3. Used variegated metallic thread for machine quilting at the top and alternating silver and gold embroidery thread for hand quilting at bottom.
metallic gel pens help bring out features, but still not too clear.

Added two kinds of beads at top and black beads for eyes.

Decided against the blue bamboo fabric for binding and used this red instead. Fused binding
again.









Detail






















4. Back with journal details printed on fabric. It reads:

January 29 is the date of the Chinese New Year in 2006, and I wanted to use this idea in some way on the January journal page. After finding a picture of a Chinese dragon that was part of the embroidery on a Mandarin Dragon coat during the Qing dynasty, I decided to work with this image (which sadly loses all of the lovely detail of the original).

Applied fusible to a piece of felt, then crumpled blue tissue paper and ironed it onto the felt which created a nice texture. Next, I found some sheer gold foil (also "tissue paper"), traced a general outline of the dragon on the foil, and cut this out. This was the most difficult part as I could barely see the outline and cutting the detail was time consuming and hard on the eyes. In my scraps, there was some Asian fabric with blue on blue waves that I fussy cut and arranged with the dragon on the blue background. Fabric glue kept things situated until stitched on. Next, the machine quilting with variegated metallic thread, hand quilting with silver and gold thread, application of beads. Finally, creating this page, and the binding will finish things up for this month.

Since the Dragon is extremely important in Chinese Mythology, here are some random Dragon facts:

• The Dragon pre-dates Chinese written history.
• Imperial Chinese dragons have five toes/claws on each foot.
• Chinese dragons are strongly associated with water.
• Chinese dragons symbolize power, excellence, heroism, nobility, and divinity.While they can be vain, Eastern Dragons are beautiful, gregarious, and wise.

I like the association of the Dragon with Tai Chi postures such as "mature Dragon leaving the water." My Dragon, however, is "immature Dragon frolics in the sea."

Jen Mullen Bayou Quilts

JQC2006 finished; will post tomorrow

Finished the January journal page and have the draft ready to post tomorrow. Have looked at several "reveals" that have been posted early and am most impressed with the quality and variety. Will be checking in again later today to see more of the ones that were scheduled for todays "reveal." I'm on tomorrow's schedule, and all I have to do is pull up the draft and post.

I have a lot to catch up on in Tai Chi. During Tai Chi in the park on Wed., Nina wanted to go through the saber form, and I was amazed at how much I'd forgotten. Then there all the changes in the short and long forms, and the cane form, which is new.

Have been working, little by little, on the Dread/ Delay List. Have another doctor's appt. scheduled for next week (I despise the phone and making appts. is even worse); sewed a button on a jacket (that only took a few weeks to get around to); bathed the dogs (hate it - hurts my neck and back). Only have 4 items left on the current Dread List. Don't want to add more until these are completed.

Gifts from Hong Kong

Met the Tai Chi in the Park group yesterday and had a wonderful surprise! Nina and I were eager to hear about the Hong Kong trip, but Beth and Thomas had more than just interesting experiences to share. A pashmina shawl from Beth - this is SO gorgeous, shimmers beautifully in the light. A calligraphy set from Thomas - complete with ink stick, ink stone, water dish and mixer, brushes, and brush rest! The day was dreary and rainy (we practice under a huge gazebo, so the rain wasn't a problem), but Nina and I were so excited over our gifts that the day brightened completely.

I'm sitting here now wrapped in my lovely shawl, drinking coffee, and wasting time. Need to get back to my JQ2006 since the deadline is approaching, and I have quite a bit left to do on it.

After Tai Chi yesterday, I came home and settled in to read. Such a perfect rainy day for reading, but after a short time, my dad called, and I went over there. Was supposed to be helping him fill out a medical history form for an appointment he has, but the first thing I did was put my own address. Duh. Big help.

Got home about 5:15 and waited for my DH who has been out of town for several days. He left again this morning, but it was nice having him home last night.

Embossing

Deb Geyer asked about the embossing technique.

The open container is embossing powder; you can see the powder in front of the bottle. The two with black tops are pearl ex powders. Below is a picture of some embossed pieces that were left over. Ran an ink pad over the wrinkles, then sprinkled embossing powder, shook off the excess and used a heat gun. Click on the picture and you will see the wrinkles with embossing on top a little better.

I love watching embossing powder transform under a heat gun.



The texture of the wrinkled tissue paper just doesn't show in the pictures, but maybe from the embossed scraps, you can get an idea of how the texture is throughout.

I'm still working on the second piece, and it still appeals to me, until it is finished, I never know if it will succeed. Have completed the applique and the machine quilting, and I'm doing a little hand quilting now.

Measure twice, but look closely at requirements

I started another JQ size piece. Kept looking at my first JQ attempt. What was wrong? Oh, the size. It is 8 1/4 x 10 1/4 - but it is supposed to be 8 1/2 x 11. Hmmm. How did that happen? Best not to go into that. Wasn't that fond of the first piece (except that I did like the title) and since I was already trying the tissue paper background again, decided to to ditch the first one and keep working on the second. I'm liking the second piece much better.

PROCESS FOR DISCARDED, INCORRECTLY SIZED EXPERIMENT:

Tissue paper fused onto felt, stamped, rubbed with metallics, quilted with copper thread:


The stamping is just assorted letters and neither the stamps nor the copper thread show up much - especially after this stage.

Then I took some scrap felt pieces and embossed them, added some copper wire, small pieces of copper tape, sheer fabric pieces, beads, and Scribbles fabric paint.

Had no idea in mind, just kept playing with it.

Finally added a fused binding. I was so pleased with myself for trying this, for experimenting, but not particularly liking it. The title is "Signs and Symbols in Copper Canyon."


I think I'm going to like its replacement better. Since I'd already started on it when the sizing ERROR was discovered, no real frustration except about my carelessness. What if I'd really liked it, and then discovered I couldn't use it?


Finished A Body in the Bathhouse, a tongue-in-cheek mystery by Lindsey Davis. Ms. Davis must have recently suffered a renovation project (an affliction of great magnitude) and decided to work through her frustations in a novel. I can certainly sympathize. The fact that the novel is set in Rome and Britain in A.D. 75 does nothing to mitigate the difficulties - universal and timeless - of working with building contractors. The list of Principal Characters includes these minor characters:

Gloccus and Cotta - bathhouse contractors in bad odor
Marcellinus - a retired designer (with a very nice house)
"Uncle Lobullus" - a contractor, never there
Pomponius - a project manager (thinks he is in charge)
Magnus - the surveyor (thinks he ought to be in charge)

Miss-Information and Stalling Tactics

Miss Information makes me wonder about my attraction to the library. Who are these characters who attach themselves to the research desk? Miss Information "... does her best not to wonder why that nice middle aged lady wants books on satanic cults and Chinese sexual body language," but curious as a cat, I'd probably ask. I would, however, leave "Penis Guy" strictly alone, avoiding eye contact and surreptitiously following his movements. This blog has become a secret vice, I simply must keep up with the goings-on in Miss Information's library. Rather like waiting for an installment in a Victorian novel...

Another item slashed from the Dreaded/ Delayed list: ordered antichlor from Dharma. I have intended to do this since last summer when I did the discharging of fabric example here using vinegar to stop the bleaching process. Knowing that the effect of vinegar was questionable at best did not stop me because I wanted to try discharging right then and there was no antichlor immediately available. And I had a great deal of fun, planned to order the stuff, but never did.

Whenever the topic of discharging comes up, a light bulb forms over my head: "Order antichlor. It may not be too late for the fabric you've already discharged, and if you want to do more, you want to do it right." Well after a mere 7 months, that neglected item has a slash and a date completed. Online order, so simple, so fast. Do I feel righteous? The feeling almost escapes me because - while I was there - I purchased a Setacolor Sun Printing Kit. And I still haven't used the Dyna-Flow paints purchased months ago. Still, there were so many other things that sounded wonderful, and THEY did not make it into the shopping cart. Righteous, it is!

Good book and "To Do" list

Finished The Friendship Test by Elizabeth Noble and enjoyed it very much; in fact, I like it better than The Reading Group because Noble developed a tighter story line and created characters with even more realistic voices. As in The Reading Group, the first two pages or so left me a little unsure, but it was well worth the wait because once into the story, I was completely involved in the lives of the these four women. The book was a fast read that covered relationships (the four friends, their marriages, parents and children) and the sometimes devastating events that can make or break those relationships.

Today I made a list of several things I needed to do and realized that some of those things keep popping up on my daily lists. Because they aren't getting done! They are dutifully recorded, but they languish on each day's list and must, therefore, appear again the next day. Determined to mark off at least two of these hateful items, I have

1) balanced my checkbook
2) made my yearly appt. with the cardiologist
3) renewed my subscription to QA Magazine.

:) That makes three items that will NOT appear on tomorrow's list. Then I added a couple of more things to the Dread/Delay list and posted it on the bulletin board with the intention of doing at least one each day. Hopefully, I'll keep adding things that I tend to put off and slowly be able to slash through them with black ink - some are only once a week, others only once a year. Love the satisfaction of items that have lines drawn through them. Now I'm not talking about the regular list-making that I do - like laundry detergent, or library, or use JoAnn's coupons to get the stuff that cleans irons. No, I'm talking about the ones I usually put down knowing that I will probably avoid doing them. Sounds like a plan, eh?

:( Still having email problems, but :) finished JQ

No improvement in email department; although I sent a message to BLOGGER describing the problem, I'm sure I am WAY down on the list of Bloggers With Problems.

This is a photo of Mother (I don't remember the boy's name, although she told me once, years ago) when she was about 15. She started college that year, so maybe this was a graduation party of some kind.

Just finished putting a binding (my first fused binding) on my JQ.
I used a new technique (which I enjoyed doing, but don't know if I'd ever have done it without this challenge). I'll blog up the process, etc. later. My goal is to try several techniques that I've seen in QA magazine and elsewhere, but never attempted. Must begin searching for February's technique.

Found this somewhere and consider it worth thinking about:
(feel free to appropriate, I'd love to see what your answers are)

In the new year...

1. List one person you've lost touch with that you will look up.

Frances.

2. List two places you want to go.

Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival; Italy

3. List three habits you want to change or to develop.

*be more organized
*eat healthier (popcorn does not really constitute a meal even if it is a comfort food)
*pay more attention in general; be more aware

4. List four things you hope to learn.

*more about color and design choices
*Italian
*more about family history
*more about dyeing fabric

5. List five goals you would like to achieve.

*attend a workshop in some area of surface design
*maybe submit a piece of work to a show
*make at least one larger work
* finish all my JQC2006 quilts
*complete the "scanning project"; scanning and repairing old photos is so time consuming, but if I can just do a few every other day or so, it will be ok. Maybe set a tentative deadline to be working toward.

Graffiti and Studio Progress

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." Diane Ackerman Loved her book The Moon by Whalelight which I read probably 10 years ago and still think about.

Still no email from Blogger. Am getting a few from QA digest, but still seeing comments on blog that have no email notification.


Picture of graffiti taken in London theater district in 1998. However, for Karoda - in the top right-hand corner is a poster about the V@g!na@ Monologues which was playing at the time. Karoda's piece celebrating her taking part in the production.

I asked Fee about 4 movies he can watch over and over:
Predator (could have told you that one)
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Casa Blanca
and ...
Joe Dirt?

Well, technically, he can watch almost any movie OVER and OVER because he usually goes to sleep, but Joe Dirt? I've never seen it, but there's a reason for that. Not that my choices were particularly cultured; or in any way, cultured; or sophisticated or challenging or deep. Obviously, my choices leave me no room to criticize anyone else's choices.


Progress on the studio front. I've managed to work on this for brief time periods for the last couple of days and am pleased with the progress. see "before" pics

Finished The Next Step in the Dance. Have about 3 books left to read before I can go to the library for another batch. Also received a review copy of Elizabeth Noble's new book from Keaton Babb (Thanks, Keaton!) that has snuggled into the "to be read" pile.

Email Problem; Meme

I've been getting comments on my blog, but no email notification. Went in and reset my preferences, saved, etc. - but still no email. I'm not ignoring anyone, but I'm not getting all of my email at present.

Val tagged me with this Meme ~~

Four jobs you've had: concessions at the Dixie Theater, bank teller, bookkeeper for an insurance company, teacher

Four movies you could watch over and over: Difficult, as I'm not really a movie person, but I have watched some of these more than once and with pleasure: Drop Dead Fred; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Steve Martin's Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid; Shakespeare in Love

Four places you've lived: Dallas, TX; Casper, Wyoming; El Dorado, Ark.; and Shreveport, LA

Four TV shows you love to watch: Used to love Angel and West Wing; Law & Order, Simply Quilts

Four Places You've Been on Vacation: Edinburgh, London, Florida, Arkansas

Four Websites You Visit Every Day: about 6 blogs in Artful Quilters Web Ring that I cruise by EVERY day, many more that I check frequently

Four Of Your Favorite Foods: biscotti; fried green tomatoes; stuffed eggplant; Herbivore Pizza from the Noble Savage; Humphreys from Counter Culture (I know, I'm exceeding the # limits!)

Four Places You'd Rather Be: Not necessarily rather - but *Edinburgh; *with my friends who are visiting Hong Kong; *Santa Fe, New Mexico; *Italy

Four Albums you can't live without: Paul Simon's Graceland; sound track from Working; Andrea Bocelli's Sogno; Dvorak's New World Symphony

Four People you'll pass this on to:

(I've seen this Meme on several blogs, but can't remember everyone who has been tagged. )

Mary at Quilt Studio 77 ; Debby at Pieces, Too; Jules Of Jules Notes Jen of Dreamscraps

Goals and Progress and Balance

Hmmmm. Must admit, the public humiliation theory has proven correct. I've been using my spare time to work on finding places to put all of the miscellany that has been junked into the sewing room. What takes the longest is determining where else things can be stored (remember, I'm trying to organize as well). Sadly, I'm fully aware that remembering the logical places of storage will be difficult, but hopefully, at least the sewing, fabric, embellishing stuff will be easier to locate.

Progress (even though in small doses with much left to be done, I'm pleased):

• scanning pictures for my brothers
• made 3 Tai Chi classes this week (total of about 4 hours) even if I left early twice
• helped my dad with some cleaning, laundry, etc. on Monday and Friday
• have completed the first stage of my Jan. journal quilt
• worked in short time increments on cleaning sewing room
• got out some books (poetry, The Power of Myth) that speak to the spirit and/or intellect to read in addition to novels and QA magazine

This is a poem that I don't have to look up; I know it by heart (to which many an unfortunate friend can attest if the conversation turns to poetry). It is one of my all time favorites and speaks to the idea of balance which has been a frequent New Year topic.

"Advice to my Son"
by Peter Meinke

The trick is, to live your days
as if each one may be your last
(for they go fast, and young men lose their lives
in strange and unimaginable ways)
but at the same time, plan long range
(for they go slow: if you survive
the shattered windshield and the bursting shell
you will arrive
at our approximation here below
of heaven or hell).

To be specific, between the peony and the rose
plant squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes;
beauty is nectar
and nectar, in a desert, saves -
but the stomach craves stronger sustenance
than the honied vine.

Therefore, marry a pretty girl
after seeing her mother;
show your soul to one man,
work with another,
and always serve bread with your wine.

But son,
always serve wine.

New Year's Resolutions, Anyone? The disturbing truth...

I do find these pictures disturbing (and motivating). Wasn't I supposed to be in the middle of cleaning, organizing, becoming more efficient, and completing the details in the sewing room? These pictures reveal a different story - chaos redux.

Check out the ironing board; worse, yet, the iron. I can explain, I know I can. Or not.

The feather duster in the red basket? Wow! I wondered where that little devil was hiding. Takes a picture to actually penetrate the clutter and discover things. I should try this more often.



My first attempt at organization several months ago left me with stuff strewn all of the the house - piled in the spare bedroom, in closets, under beds, etc. Then in the midst of other delays, much had to be transported back to sewing room when company came. Then I had to work on "Sky Garden" because I needed that comfort of being lost in a project.

Then the computer fiasco (the search for program disks and books; finally, new hard drive; new scanner,- where to put the old one, or the new one for that matter), Fee putting in new light fixtures, blah, blah, blah. So with all of that still going on, I start a new project, a messy one, and have to waste inordinate amounts of time trying to find the things I need. Like that tissue paper, the paints, etc. Yes, I did need the tissue paper. I knew I'd saved it for a reason.

The plastic bag is a temporary trash bag. And the piled up work center on the bottom right - is - my - ironing - board.

When every surface is filled, one goes where one must...



...and piles stuff where one must, under the tissue paper covered cutting table, if necessary, and obviously, it is necessary. I believe that is enough for post. Will continue later, because maybe public humiliation will provide the impetus to do Something About This!

Good news! Erin, Eric, and Mila are back in Jackson. They had a great time, but are glad to be home after 3 weeks. I talked to Mila, who reported on the AirPlane!, cousin Ella, and "the kids."

Erin is feeling much better, with less morning sickness. Don't know why I feel this one is going to be a boy, but I do have that feeling.

Tabasco Field Momento

"I'm the kind of woman that likes to enjoy herselves in peace." Alice Walker

I've been scanning old pictures for my brothers from a batch Mother gave me years ago. These were taken in 1952 at Tabasco Field in Mission, Texas when Dad worked for Houston Oil Co. Top is Mother, bottom is my brother Stephen and myself.

The Illuminator - something of a disappointment; loved the historical aspects, especially those sections about Wycliffe's heretical beliefs that the common man could be "his own priest," that he could interpret the Bible for himself, and that religious writing should be in English, not Latin; the Watt Tyler rebellion and the religious and political chaos that resulted; the struggle between Church and Monarchy for power and profit. The novel began with interesting characters and storyline, but was subjugated to the historical elements, losing impact as the characterization and narrative dissipated. Or maybe I was disappointed because it didn't have a happy ending.

Now reading The Next Step in the Dance by Tim Gatreaux.

I've made a start on my first piece for the JQC2006. It may be just a preliminary attempt, but at least I'm working and trying a new technique. More later.

Progress: studio and tai chi and books

Tues. Night

In keeping with my clean & organize goal, I did spend about an hour working on my desk area. Also ran some errands, including a post office run. Bought some more baskets that were half off the original price and some cheap picture frames. Then to the grocery store where I purchased about half of what I needed because the store was so crowded.

Big important move: I did go to Tai Chi tonight. Several months absence sure makes a difference, and my muscles were quivering over simple moves. Extra effort will be required to get back in shape and to catch up. Thomas, Beth, Jimmy, and Mike are going to be headed to Hong Kong early Thurs. morning. Assume Nina and Douglas will be, as well. I've been away so long, I'd completely forgotten about this trip, but know they will have a good time.

Wed.

Have continued stalling, but have accomplished a few organization goals.

Reading: The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
I love illuminated manuscripts, and the lovely cover of this novel caught my attention immediately. The story concerns a master illuminator during the time of John Wycliffe, John of Gaunt, and Chaucer - given the times and those three names, how could I resist?

Re-reading: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
Poor book is full of highlighted sentences and paragraphs and accompanied by frequent annotations, but I'm grateful for the annotations because I would not necessarily remember the connections I made during previous readings.

.

Stairs & Squares: A Walk Through the Sky Garden (& addition)

Here is the piece I've been working on and thought was finished until after looking at the photo and realizing that the blue center square with the Chinese coin is just pinned on and needs to be centered. Small detail that may not be attended to for awhile since I'm bored with this piece. After disassembling the first version using these fabrics, and eventually completing Asian Rhythm and Blues, the left-over fabrics remained on the design wall. Finally, decided to consider a trio of quilts of similar theme and fabrics. The result is Stairs and Squares: A Walk Through the Sky Garden. Now there are two, but any third piece will be on hold as I'm tired of the whole idea right now.

My intentions for Improvement have failed to become manifest during the first two days of the New Year. Yesterday was full of preparations for company and a late New Year's lunch of black eyed peas, cabbage, fresh corn, collard greens, cornbread, turkey and pork loin. Dear Fee made all of the Good Luck foods; I made the corn bread, cleaned house, and searched for things that had been part of the organization fiasco of a few months back. (Since the attempt at organization was interrupted, I managed to distribute boxes, etc. in various closets, under beds, and in the garage with no general idea of what went where. The completion of this series of tasks is high on my list of priorities.)

Today, procrastination is at the forefront - delaying tactics and "displacement activities" (whose blog mentioned displacement activities? Those things you do when you should be doing something else). I have joined joined Deb Lacativa in Honoring Procrastination (a ritual I am organically suited for) - see her Dec. 31st entry for a better idea.

Addition:

Here is the Asian Rhythm and Blues quilt.