Two steps forward, one step back

That is how spring comes along this year. 

I watch for more green. Blossoms take my breath away.

Fat bees appear. Birds are back with lots of song.

The breath of the world, the wind, makes trees dance.

 

 

On the other hand

 Well, some days Mr Parkinson is a bad guest; causing tremors and imbalance,
taking  all of my courage and patience, laughing at my 'to do' list.  I have heard
that chronic illness can be a spiritual teacher. Some days it's just a bully.

I can still weave stories even if I can't sew much anymore. Anything involving both
hands is a joke. My right arm/hand is steady as long as I'm painting. This keeps me
hopeful.

How it is

2 years ago I learned I have Parkinson's. Gradually lost the ability to sew.

My right arm/hand remains steady but without much grace in painting.

Still, I'm able to paint in a folk way and connect with mother earth.

Many of the forms which came up in my studies with Jude Hill

are still in my mind's eye and pop up in paint.

Painting keeps me smiling and hopeful these days.

Busy around here

Owls and rabbits in the yard.

And a small bird has decided it's safe to have her family close to us.

Life is good.

Humble Pie

Crows live in the surrounding woods. They're territorial and
when I hear them call I know my small dog is safe in the yard.
Hawks and even a very occasional eagle show up so crows
are very helpful around here.

Winter story

                                                                               

                         
        

Our neighbors have horses. Their animals are a lovely part of country life. In winter I often see horses  with blankets. A quiet story of the winter around here. The applique/embroidery is worked on pieces of old quilts.Not quite a blank base. Even the white bases have needle trails from the quilter. I love sewing on these soft, worn cloths.  

Because of a health condition, painting (oils, anyway) is no longer an option for me.  

Janet Bolton is one of my favorite artists. And lately I've discovered Mandy Pattullo

and Cas Holmes, all British artists.

             Some years ago I was able to take several online classes with Jude Hill.

              All of these teachers have taught me a way to make story cloth.

Story maker

I've always thought in stories. From the local  WPA murals
to the homemade books I dictated to mom and illustrated;
stories were the form ideas took in my mind.

Now I'm sewing my life stories awake. Here is a recent story...

It was the autumn we moved here right after the harvest of about 500 acres surrounding
our small home. I turned while taking packages out of my car and saw this race
across the empty fields. It was like a silent, slow motion movie. Geese flew over
so their clacking and muttering provided the score. Our neighbor's huge dog
was, sadly, never seen again. I was rooting for the deer.