Some of you know that I have spent the last 9 months in
a rather boring
an intensive french class. In many ways in was an amazing experience I
met many people from all over the world who had moved here to build a
better life for their families. I made friends, learned a new language,
and discovered more about the region. In other ways it was boring,
stressful, and downright unpleasant. From this experience I learned
something--most things in life are just this way, and it is up to the
experiencee to make a meaningful life out of the roller coaster ride.
One of the ways I coped with the unpleasantness of certain parts of the
class was to knit or crochet obsessively (often during class ) so I have
many finished objects to share with you but I will share a few at a
time too keep it from being to overwhelming for both you and.
When I was little I used to say I wanted to be a dragon when I grew up. I still do actually the difference is that I know it won't happen. As much as I wish it were otherwise I have yet to see a dragon, pet a unicorn, or meet a wizard outside my imagination. Sometimes I search for fairies in the wooded areas and although I have never found one I can't believe that they don't exist. However dragons and fairies and unicorns are not really what I wanted to talk about. I have realized that in my desire to find "real" magic in the world, I was missing something more important: everyday magic.
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Side view to show off Mane. | |
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There is a spell of pure joy and peace that is found in learning to love what we already have. This everyday magic can be found: in the quiet early mornings before everyone wakes, a stolen kiss, long talks with someone you love late at night, in joy of sport, or hidden moments with a ball of string and a couple of sticks. The laugh of a small child is as a wizard's spell to sorrow, and the wonder of simple hot meal and warm bed can wipe away the weariness of a long day. Finding the magic in the ordinary is every bit as much an art and science, as the magic wizards in the fantasies I love practice.
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Finished in Mid-April. Back view for the mane. |
For example, a few days ago I realized I had stopped listening to music. I don't know why but I do know that for last few years music listening has been a fleeting occasional sort of thing that I did by accident. As I child I listened to and made music every chance I got, and I couldn't imagine a world without music. I have started making time to really listen to music again and you know what music is magic. Music can spin straw into gold, mend broken hearts and allow a human to fly. I hate cleaning but just yesterday evening I found myself in my kitchen cooking dinner and cleaning up while listening to music, and guess what I was having a blast!!! Everything seemed to go by much more quickly.
My favorite new kind of string magic is spinning. It amazes me that a stick with a little weight on it and a ball of fluff are all it takes to make beautiful yarn, and I am learning quickly, as is evidenced by my most recent creation.
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Finished a couple weeks ago. 4ply from mixed wool roving. About 200yds sock weight. I am rather absurdly proud of it and have no idea what to do with it. |
Last but not least I have finally gotten up the courage to really learn to draw. I used to love to draw as a child, but was too busy to take art courses as an adolescent. Sometime on the way from then until now I convinced myself that I was no good at it anyway. I have lately had many ideas and things I wished to draw and design and no way to express them adequately and I determined that it was time to learn to draw. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that although I still have much to learn I am much better at drawing than I thought.
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Study in 3-D shapes and shading form a couple days ago. |
See my tab on link parties to join me in looking at other great finished projects.