Dancing Fox by Koson

Dancing Fox makes me smile. He dances under a large leaf 

with no serious intentions. Rhythm is implied by a right paw about

to stomp in his folk dance. I love foxes. They remind me not to give in to sad times..

They remind me that mischief and fun may hide for a long time but is

likely to jump out at any time.

Benten on her Dragon

Benten is a Japanese Kami/Deity who personifies wisdom, rivers and

everything that flows (wiki). Benten was inspired by Saraswati (a Hindu deity). Saraswati

waits on another cloth to be sewn. Sewing, sowing wisdom would is a good thought for me.

(sorry about the bad photo, a better camera is in my future)

Tornado Spirit and Cane Painting

 

Weather. I've been reading about Native Americans living on the Plains and 

Tornadoes. It take a little time to begin to understand the nuances of NA relationships

with weather, land, sky, earth etc. It's different from our own. We try to

fix situations where many times seeking harmony or balance may be

more effective. Relationships are important.

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Then there's this cane thing. I have Parkinsons and must use a cane (I'm fortunate

to still be walking). I've noticed how the cane changes brief relationships with people I meet.

I keep canes stashed in rooms and in my car. Bob just finished sanding a wooden cane

for me to paint.

I'll post photos of the cane as it's painted and varnished. I hope it gives folks something 

to focus on, something happy. Getting old can a bitch but is still better than not being.

Put A Woman in Charge

A great day is coming. Joe Biden will announce his VP choice. I hope he keeps his promise.
I'm hanging on because it just may be the beginning of a new Beginning. 

Put A Woman in Charge

In the Time of Story

I'm reading a book, The Iron Ring, by Lloyd Alexander. I needed a good story to

rest in .It's about a king who thinks of his people first. It's about honor, selfless effort and

keeping your word. It's an inspiring place to rest awhile.

Like bricks in a wall

Large from many smalls. All these small moments were floating apart. They made
sense together as a quilt top. Maybe a 2 sided quilt reminding me of this sewing journey.

Creatures appearing.

Journeys

Pearl Divers

My best friend, Toshiko, in San Diego worked as a pearl diver at a tourist center.
Pearl diving is a skilled occupation in Japan and has been for hundreds of years. By
coincidence I found a pre ww2  Japanese magazine with a silk screen print of pearl
divers. I made a cloth around it then added embroidery.

Green Tara (adding embroidery)

Using my time going back with these and adding embroidery.

Hope you are all safe.

Ocean story and walking

Just finished this.

I'm patiently watching for a new way, meanwhile just continuing.

New ways of seeing usually happen out of the blue when I'm just out walking.

A patch I just noticed.

Familiar face of an old friend.

Reflections.

A walk is good medicine.

All of you please take good care.

More books Minnette Walters

I read these in Feb. Great reads, timely (plague time in 1300 England)

and hopeful reads. These are the first 2 books of a trilogy not yet complete.

I say hopeful because in the day to day decisions a wise woman ruler

and her people took power back instead of being afraid or superstitious. At the

end they kept good health and thrived. They changed society from the top (and

middle) power down, established herbal medicine and intuitive disease

management and fed themselves because they cooperated together.

Happy first day of spring

This is a good and a hopeful read. You all take good care.

Makes sense to me

Not sure how I found this site...

https://dark-mountain.net/the-mythos-we-live-by-uncolonising-our-imagination/

I've been looking for a different perspective for all that's happening now.

This came out of past searching via a bookmark. Seems about right.

(Fist bump)

Greenwood by Michael Christie

I just started this book and highly recommend it. 

It's in the same neighborhood of Overstory with a solid plot

linking human greed and stupidity to the loss of forests.

It's also a super good read. Set in the past and near future.

Bearer of the Lotus

From the Ajanta Caves.

Tomb of a Diver

The roof of this tomb moved me. It tells a story of youth, skill,

and possible tragedy. Maybe he choked to death or illness did him in.

But maybe death also involved a mistake in judgment, showing off or

taking a dare. The painting doesn't tell. I created an

environment for the tragic death. I wanted him cared for, 

if that makes sense.

 I borrowed an Egyptian Mourning Chorus to meet him under the sea.

I kept taking things away. It's pared down to the moment before death.

 This week I opened some stored work from 10 years ago when I began

learning from Jude Hill. Her instruction, as always, was inspiring.

But my old cloth making disappointed me. So I began cutting it up to use again.

 The words, "death gently carried him" were right there to

cushion this young diver. He feels cared for now.

I'm trying to break my habits of grids, etc. I just feel there's a new way

of stitching stories just out of my reach/sight for right now. 

Blessing of the Birds

I was looking through Medieval paintings and found this: Creation of the Birds.

 

I made an environment for it and it became Blessing of the Birds.

The 'moon' became a new beginning.