You last section uplifts me the way words in “A New Republic of the Heart” do. Maybe you’ve read it? I got I for Christmas last year and am only starting it now. The author describes “radical, defiant, unreasonable hope” as being “born of faith in the process of life itself, in the human spirit, in sacredness— or in the intuited sense that, in spite of everything, reality is whole and holy.” Terry Patten

Well Happy Puppy Day! Hard to believe it’s been a year already.

Horseshoe magnet, now there's an idea! Esp since I use the couch arms as pin cushions. You've inspired me to resurrect a quilt for my older son and make a run for Christmas. The good news? If I miss, his bday is in March.

When I was gardening with elementary school kids, I embraced this notion of “biophlia” — that humans are hard wired to spend time in nature and when we don’t we suffer —as a way to counter a culture that over prized the intellect and external achievement. how different is the combination of biocentrism and planning for the seventh generation and the increased amount of urgency brought on by climate change (so much so in the intervening 15 years). Not contradictory ideas but an important shift of perspective. I gathered tiny gardening gloves and little rakes and planted pizza gardens, colonial gardens, celebrated earth day by looking at worms and ants. The vision held by one saying, “set these things aside” is touching. As is the web of relationships in your day.

I never cut my binding on the bias. Just don’t. But I have learned how to miter the corners.

glad you have your design cloth up. it is a real testament to how a place becomes home when we do what we love (and hopefully stay dry!). I use big panels of felt-covered insulation for work in progress -- pin boards. For me, it's important to look at constructions 'from the side' -- meaning, from different parts of the mind -- not just the front facing mind. The links have been wonderful.

I like the idea of “in between as escape”. Almost a place to rest. Instead of a place to hurry through because it’s not this or that. I too like the look of this stitched cat! My new question is: what if compassion is a choice? And not the result of a very long and diligent practice which may or may not work. A choice. It’s a liberating thought.

I love to watch your resist process. Christmas is kind of looming right now — I share the lack of inspiration. Maybe next month (which is next WEEK)? Researching books in order to find some that I think others will really like has been good. Not what I usually do.

A nine patch of eyes!

The holes work with your meaning here and they also echo your esthetic. Like stars.

yes, indeed -- cheers to you and to Jude -- and to all who show up for each other year in and year out!

Cheers to broadening the canvas here and there. I mean, we all go to the bathroom, right? I find that it's tricky, tho -- when I decide to show something more gritty, then I get all 'composey' about that.

So glad. I must’ve misread last post cause I thought you were already back. It has been an inspiration to feel your openness throughout this adversity and also to hear about all the kindness in people around you.

Glad you are home. Are you exhausted?

This is fairly beside the point, but I love how the shadow and light switch become integral to that one photo’s composition.

So well deserved! I feel privileged to have been along for part of your journey.

Thank you for your story again today. Words that let us love Liam, too. His lost house. The horse saved from the bear. Hope it rains so you can go home soon.

I noticed your hands, too. Both nearly clenched. A sure signal of “not making” — more than the central positioning of the phone to my mind. Thank you for sharing this shot. Sometimes one of the stresses of screen life is how much we curate our experiences — you less than most, but you do rely on a kind of coded speech to convey difficulties. I admire how you manage that. But this picture kind of dispenses with all that.

You’ve made enough hints for me to know that “stuff is going on”. With two boys in periods of intense transition, I can only imagine. Or maybe that is “my dream” as I have learned to say. Anyway, I’m so glad you could get away. I can’t believe how often during the years of raising a family I was desperate for a break and didn’t get one.

It’s a phone app that lets you easily and instantly send money.

We’ve spent many vacation weeks in Maine. Blyther days than these, for sure. Hope it was the break you needed.

It would be surprising if you were NOT exhausted. Here’s to deep rest.

Amen

Whatever you do. I’m sure it’ll be lovely. A spare palette makes the textures of weaving more apparent which I like. Also I’ve enjoyes incorporating woven sections in wall hangings where they are not centered but part of the foreground.

A Long haul clunks off the tongue. I hope you can be home sooner. The sense of progress among the animals is heartening.