Hello friends. We are waiting to see what will happen here in Vermont, as we sit amidst several severe weather alerts. Mostly we are worried about heavy rain falling on a deep snowpack, and rivers clogged with ice. Just a few weeks ago we were experiencing drought conditions. We are not alone. These bizarre weather conditions haunt many places, with a variety of not-so-nice possibilities. *sigh* (Errands put off for a few days as we wait for daybreak tomorrow to see how we have fared.)
And so, I made a mug of hot chocolate and decided to sit down and have a bit of a catch up with you.
I have a treat for you! My buddy, Kim Roberts, from our days together at Earlham has been reading Ted Kooser’s book and has been illustrating the poems as she goes along. Kim has given me permission to share a few here at sewandsowlife. If you would like to see more (they are really beautiful), and you have an instagram account, she shares them at kkr.explores.art
Watching Kim’s gorgeous work unfold each day has renewed my appreciation of Kooser’s words. Thank you, Kim, so much for allowing me to share some of them here.
Now that there is snow cover (at least for now) the Fish and Wildlife folks have given the OK for bird feeders once again, hoping that the bears have found their way into hibernation. I trundled off to Agway and bought bags of seed and blocks of suet. Some of our first guests were the wild turkeys who roam in gangs up here on the hill. I often spot them scratching in the cut corn fields, as they glean their own bits of cobs. Wilma and Cora become quite animated when they hear the birds coming.
Batman has been cranking out his handmade wreaths, keeping his workshop cozy with the vintage wood stove. I decorated one for our porch with a few dried orange slices, star anise and cinnamon sticks. I noticed today that one of the cheeky red squirrels helped itself to a holiday treat. :-)
I started this quilt years and years ago and I’m determined to finish it by the solstice. Because it’s what I’m calling my solstice quilt. Cora and I have been fiddling with the layout on my design wall. When we lived in CT, we had the sweetest quilt shop just over the state border in Somers, NY. Called The Country Quilter, I took many a class there and made some wonderful friends. Owned and operated by a mother daughter team, it was a spot that inspired me whenever I stepped inside. Jane Davila and her mom moved on to other things, but their warmth and encouragement have stayed with me. Simply Seminole, written by Dorothy Hanisko provided the base for a class there. This is my third version of the method. We’ll see if I can get it all put together by next week!
I have some book updates to share with you. On our way out to Detroit, Batman and I listened to The Exchange, by John Grisham via Libro.com. Nothing like a bit of intrigue to help the miles roll under the tires! Then, on my way down to MA, solo, I listened to A Croft in the Hills, by Katherine Stewart, which renewed my dreams of living in Scotland. It’s a lovely story, read by Ruth Urquhart, whose accent was “just the ticket” as my Gram used to say.
My Mumsie did well with her procedure and I am headed back down to MA next week for her follow up appointment. Then we will exhale.
I’ve been visiting the children’s room at our local library…this time of year just makes me want to hold beautifully illustrated kid’s books in my hands. It has for years and years. The special Christmas Eve gift of a book as a kid must have stuck with me. Do you know the work of Sophie Blackall? Oh my goodness…her books are visual treasures. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but The Farmhouse is what got me started. Sophie’s website is full of goodies, so if you might enjoy a trip down the internet rabbit hole, she’s your gal. Also…if you listen to this story on npr, you’ll just have to find the book and enjoy it yourself!
As the days melt into one another as they do in December, I hope you are finding quiet moments to breathe and appreciate what is hopeful and lovely around you. It’s usually there if we pause and look for it.
Hugs, me.