Coming at creativity from the back door

The girls group at our church has decided to make a quilt to raffle off, the money to be given to a worthy charity.  When I heard about their intent I spoke with the moderators of the group and offered my services.  I don't claim to be an expert and with my own creative abilities at an ebb right now it would seem like a no-win situation for them to have me onboard but hey, beggers can't be choosers and all that.

Actually even though I find myself incapable of creating I am still able to teach. 

So last Sunday my husband and son gracioiusly hauled my sewing supplies to the church hall and MK and I set out to assist whoever showed up.

There were lessons in color matching and pattern choices.  Once everyone had decided what they wanted to make the lessons in measuring and cutting began.  The students all did exceptionally well with their cutting.  The teacher managed to cut every one of her pieces wrong!

Then the machines were threaded and the sewing commenced.  One of the girls needed a lesson in how to run a sewing machine but that was ok. Once she had that under control Matthew was there to coach her when she had any additional questions.

Jacinata pieced this pillow top all by herself and next week she will be putting it together and completing her project.

Two of the moderators made two very lovely blocks which will contribute to a bright and vibrant quilt when we get this project done.

Hanging out with Uncle Matt

This week Savannah is coming here since her other babysitter had a death in the family.  As soon as her mom pulls into the driveway Uncle Matt is there to help bring her into the house.  (I think he likes his niece!)  She doesn't mind him being around either.

 

He sits in the rocking chair with her on his lap and she grins and chatters away.  Uncle Matt just listens with a big contented smile on his face.

 

Even when she gets put down on the floor to play with the toys she is one happy baby girl.  It would be a shame to tell her that is a wooden banana that she is currently biting on.  These are happy days.



Playing hookey!

I should have the internet closed down and have all my books open.  I should be writing a critique comparing the movie The Shootist with the book by the same name.  Or I could be writing the manuscript pages that are due this week.  There are always the pages of folk tales to be read and commented on but somehow....here I sit. Other thoughts swirl in my head and other words itch to be spoken.
No, I am not a political activist. Though I know what is right and what is wrong I am lacking in the ability to think on my feet or express myself clearly without a great deal of thought and preparation.  Nor am I a great apologist.  I know what I believe and I am able to explain those beliefs and tell them to others.  But alas, again I am not an off-the-cuff speaking kind of person.  My brain is incapable of those kinds of acrobatics.  No, my forte is poetry and prose of a more creative nature.  I can look at a summer day and express it in language that paints it on the canvas of the mind so that those who cannot see with their hearts may catch a small glimpse of the majesty of God. 
Still I sit here with the words backed up at the tips of my fingers.  It is as if the sun that is shining today, the crisp flakiness of the croissant that I had for lunch and the sharpness of the chlorine in the pool this morning have all worked like a catalyst to loosen whatever has been stopping my mind up until now. 
And so I gaze out my window and see, not the drab brown of winter, nor the melting of the snow. No, I see the shades and tones of the colors of fertility as I look at the browns of the fields waiting for the warmth to wake them to their potential.  Instead of the cold snap in the air that used to tighten my joints and slow my mind I feel only the briskness of the breeze that cleanses the old and brings with it a promise of something new.
And I pray that this change may stay with me and keep me moving forward toward healing and the next adventure.

Swimming lessons.

Tuesday morning is swimming lesson day for Layn.  Every Tuesday he and grandma pack the pool bag and drive with Uncle Matt down to the Y.  Even though Uncle Matt isn't Layn's life guard we take him with us to save gas. He works out in the gym before his shift begins.  Today we were watching Savannah too so we packed up Auntie and Savannah and took them with us.  We thought that since Savannah liked her bath at home she wouldn't mind the swimming pool.  We were right!

She took to splashing and grinning as soon as she got into the water.  Uncle Matt was good enough to take these picture before he started his workout so that we can always remember Savannah's first day at the pool.

The Simple Womans Daybook 5 March 2012

Outside my window...there are several inches of snow on the ground, again, with more coming down.  This has been a very strange winter.  One week we will have temps in the 50' and the next we will have snow and ice and temps in the 20's and 30's

I am thinking....what could possibly be in the mind of a nearly two-year-old boy.  He is currently in the process of moving all his toys from the kitchen into the sewing room.  We have finally gotten him to understand (I think) that if he has toys poured out in one room he must pick them up before he goes to play in another room.  Wonder what thought process is going on in that little head of his.

I am thankful for....the good time that I had yesterday teaching a some nice people how to sew. 

From the kitchen....only time will tell.  Melissa is in charge today since it is her day off and I will be out of commission.

I am wearing....jeans and a tee shirt.

I am creating....umpteen pages of brilliantly written manuscript for my creative writing class. Let us hope that the professor agrees with my assessment.

I am going...to the hospital today for some outpatient procedures.  It is time to succomb and find out what is wrong with this body of mine.

I am reading....The Shootist by Glendon Swarthout

I am hoping....that the GI doctor finds the issue and says that the fix doesn't require any surgical or invasive intervention.

I am hearing....Layn talking to himself as he drives his engines all over the sewing room floor.  A wonder if little boys are born knowing how to make truck sounds.

Around the house....it is home and that is the way I like it.

One of my favorite things....being able to sit here working while Layn does his own brand of work.

A few plans for the rest of the week....drop off the estimate for the damages to the car so the insurance company can approve the repairs.  Work on school dilligently like the good girl that I am, and hopefully be ready to give more sewing lessons on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you....

Matthew, MK and I spent Sunday afternoon helping teach sewing to the moderators of the girls group at our church.  I love this picture of the contrast between Matthew's 1960's vintage sewing machine set up next to MK's modern machine.  I always say to the kids it's not the machine but the talent of the person sitting at the machine. 

Do you mind if I make some bread doughs today?

What a silly question! Matthew thought he would make some bread doughs today and asked me if I minded.  Any mother who did is crazy.  My kids know all I ask is that the kitchen be left clean and neat when they get done.  So he took Savannah with him to keep him company and I kept Layn with me.

Six loaves of white bread in the oven along with some loaves of other bread of his own creation waiting to be baked.  The kitchen smells warm, cozy and delicious.

The heat from the wood furnace is perfect for raising bread doughs.

Of course he doesn't neglect the cleaning up part of the deal.

He even loads and runs the dishwasher.

Wise words from one of the most beautiful women ever born.

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

--Mother Teresa