Good Morning, Friends, and Happy First Day of Spring!!!

Boy, it sure is beautiful out today. Now, you and I both know that we haven’t seen the last of snow, either on the ground or flying through the air. But we also know that we need to celebrate the solstices and when the weather is gorgeous. There’s something about reaching that official first day of Spring that is so  hopeful.

And hope is something to hang your hat on.

(What an odd expression. We had a terrific antler like hat rack hanging inside the front hall closet door in Red Wing. My dad was,  as were the other males of his generation, a hat wearer.  Think Dick Tracy, but not quite Indiana Jones. Classic and classy.)

Anyway, I would like to think that my hope is nearby, within reach and  ready to wear, just like my dad’s hats were in that front hall closet. It’s an item that never goes out of style.

nope. no transition.  Sorry.

So, the phrase about trying to teach an old dog new tricks: I am taking a stand here and now to say that it is over used, trite and not often truthful. I mean, think about it, fellow older people. Aren’t you learning new things everyday?

I sure am and not just because the hubster is dragging me kicking and screaming into the 21st century technology, although he most certainly is.

I just took another class, this time in embroidery. Again, the class was streaming from England and the other students were from all over the world. It cost me a whopping $13.57 for five days of one hour lessons.  Cheaper than any of my other classes and here’s why: the course was a thinly veiled attempt to get students to sign up for the way more expensive year long group.  But, I knew that going in and had already decided to just get what I could from the short course and ignore the push to sign up.

This artist works in what I would call free embroidery without a pattern, but using traditional stitches. It’s similar to drawing mandalas, and involves getting in touch with your self. So, meditation, memories, looking inward. And it was interesting to stitch without a pattern: very freeing.

This old dog learned a lot about releasing tension and expectations while stitching, making a memory map, and, of course, how to promote yourself while teaching embroidering!

Then, imagine my surprise when the next book in my Kindle queue was “A Single Thread” about the women who embroidered the kneelers in the English cathedrals in the 1930’s.

CO-INKY-DINK!!!!!

And talk about the very antithesis of free embroidery!  These women were constantly unpicking stitches after the Head Broderer harshly critiqued their work. ( think Nima Fogelberg or Splitz)

Now one would think that this locked in and deliberate stitching would not appeal to me especially after the hippie free love peace love dope quality of the recent class.

But it did. And here’s the golden part of it all: because I have so many different craft items in my sewing room, I had the materials stored in cubbies that would allow me to try the stitching that the women in the book were struggling with. And I also had the “Stitching Bible” that showed me how to do those stitches! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

So, you see, Hubster, there’s value to all my many and varied crafting interests!!!

And, again, another point for old dogs learning new things!

I also think that realizing things, putting two and two together counts for that learning.

Case in point: I have a favorite baby bunting sack that our daughter was in when she came home from the hospital. The hubster went out while I was resting after giving birth. He picked up a cute pink shirt and overall outfit and this soft velour baby bag. Now, newborns are not in newborn size for very long, as we all know. Such was the case for these clothes. I saved the outfit, passing it on to our daughter when she had her daughter.

But the velour bag I kept. It would have meant nothing to her, but it meant everything to me. It keeps me company in the rocking chair in the sewing room.

When I hold that baby bag, I am young, joyful, full of hope and love for this little baby  who was once nestled inside it. I am lighter, younger, full of promise. It is a physical as well as emotional feeling. And that is the power of memory.

Speaking of joyful, it is the title of a new book that the embroidery teacher suggested. The author’s hypothesis is that you can create and find aesthetics around you to bring joy to your soul.

For instance, the most recent cover of the King Arthur Baking Company catalog makes me happy. Seriously!! According to the author’s analysis, it has to do with the round shapes of the coffee cake and sprinkles which indicate play. I have always been big on play.

Just ask the hubster!

Anyway, it is an interesting book. Look for the things that make you joyful and be intentional about having them near!!

I did get a good night’s sleep last night, first in almost two weeks. It does make a difference. I have been getting up to take pain pills every three hours, reminded by Alexa, ” Janet, it’s time to take your pills. Janet, it’s time to take your pills.”

Last night I told the hubster that I planned to ignore her and so please don’t clonk me with your arm when she goes off. And he didn’t! Today, he changed her reminders.

I had surgery almost two weeks ago. I am now thyroid free and taking a synthetic med to make up for its absence. My incision no longer looks like  a Halloween makeup illusion. I won’t lie, it’s been tough to match my lipstick to it so I’ve just given up and used my regular color.

I visit my oncologist tomorrow to hear about the next step. There was a little bit that the surgeon couldn’t remove because it was too close to the nerve. And I did want to be able to talk. The hubster did tell me after my voice returned that the quiet was nice while it lasted. (!)

Time to finish tying that quilt that wasn’t getting quilted! See what I mean about learning new things? That quilt just was not getting quilted and FINALLY, it occurred to me that I could tie it instead!!!! This old dog is capable of learning new things!!!!!

Have a SUPERB SUNDAY and welcome Spring in your own inimitable way!!!

Love,

Janet