four plus

All four kids and a few partners are under the new roof for the first time. Everyone has fallen in love with Wilma. Last night a game of Ticket to Ride was played under the new pendant lamp on the three season porch. Gathered under its light there was teasing and baiting and laughter. At twilight the Falu red glowed. My heart went pitter patter. 

Dear readers, keep your hopes and dreams front and center in your daily life. Give them priority. Big or small, your dreams deserve attention.

Sometimes we can make them come true.

xo

wilma

bathroom curtains

Oh, these birches. 

The fabric, stashed for a few years, just waiting for a project.

Last week my beloved Bernina  (just back from her stay at the spa) and I made it happen.

The simplest of curtains.

Now, I often think of Little Red Riding Hood when I walk into this bathroom. Maybe I need to stitch a red hooded cape to hang on the back of the door?

triptych 34

 5 modest meyer lemons, grown on the windowsill

under the din of heavy construction.

i don't know how they did it.

xo

 two queen sized flat sheets, flapping horizontally

in the heat-induced ridge wind. 

black-eyed-susans,

july haze,

and the green mountains

of vermont.

sanctuary.

What an extraordinary week it was.

I am beyond weary with the "thoughts and prayers". The platitudes. The hand wringing. The "I don't know what to dos". I am not sure what else needs to happen in this country to get folks mobilized. 

How can we not feel called to do something?

At 60, I feel like there is still plenty of learning for me to do. Opening the way for uncomfortable realities. Owning my part in the trouble. Creating some sort of action plan.

Are you feeling uncomfortable and a bit helpless? I've been looking for help with expanding my own understanding of White Privilege and Institutional Racism and my role in it. There is so much going on in the media right now, it is hard to find our way through it all. 

I humbly offer a few gems...

One that may be hard but worthwhile, here.

One that will help you feel better, here

And something divine to listen to, here.

Have you found helpful words you'd be willing to share here? I would appreciate any help you may have to offer. xo

holiness in the mundane

A leggy ivy houseplant? Three clipped branches from the mountain ash tree (also known as the magical rowan tree) just outside the front door and a bit of kitchen string solved that! Instant climbing tripod. 

Yard work jeans with ripped knees? A bit of denim, some thread and some restful stitching mended that! 

Sometimes one can get a peek at holiness in the most simple of things. A green bit of growth. The texture of a worn and frayed garment. The steam rising from a loaf of freshly baked bread.  Dew on a spider web at dawn. 

Just look.

It is everywhere.

And isn't that a comfort?

xo