…..reflecting on how much I’ve missed not being able to post my photographs for the last two weeks
While searching for the perfect medicine cabinet for my father I took several photographs before deciding on one that would work. In the end none of these were chosen.
These oddly shaped vegetables are perfect subjects for this week’s Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge 2016 – Week 44
….a Pow Wow, a birthday dinner and a flea market
My last week at the cottage before we closed up for the season was very memorable. For one thing I spent four lovely days with my oldest daughter and my daughter-in-law. A and J are great cottage guests. They are so laid back yet very helpful. We all took turns cooking and they usually got the dishes done before I could get at them.
J had never been to a Pow Wow so I decided that it was an event everyone should experience at least once. I, myself hadn’t been in several years. I was glad I went. The venue for the Pow Wow had changed from the school yard to a more scenic setting next to one of the two lakes on the island. We got there in time to see the little ones dance. We walked around the perimeter of the outdoor stage and checked out the vendors and their wares. We sampled some food, shared a giant lemonade and I bought a pair of moccasins for my granddaughter from Velma.
Velma is a long time resident of Christian Island and I have been going to her store for over 20 years. I always take my visitors to her so that they can see and buy her authentic indigenous crafts. She handcrafts the most beautiful sweetgrass boxes and hand stitches her moccasins. I bought a pair for myself almost 20 years ago and I still have them.
As we were leaving the Pow Wow I came across a booth where two lovely ladies were selling raffle tickets for more than 50 prices. I bought a sheet of tickets and two days later I got a phone call that I won a handmade cloth bag. More about my last four days at the cottage tomorrow.
Cheers!
…last weekend I attended the closing day of the EHS Inspires show at the Neilson Park Creative Centre where the 50 mile coat had been completed and was on display
A good friend of mine is a member of the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners Guild. They recently undertook an enormous project that took 800 hours to complete. They designed and hand made a coat that used materials that were accessed within a 50 mile radius of the the studio where the materials where assembled and put together.
It started with the shearing of the wool from sheep in Pelham. The wool was then cleaned and carded and spun by hand into yarn. I don’t remember the numbers but there were several spinning wheels at the centre where members took turns spinning the wool into yarn. Neilson Park is in the middle of a naturalized park area and ladies of the guild collected plant materials to make natural dyes. One of the plants they used were marigolds. The yarn was dyed and then the loom was set up with the warping threads.
Once enough cloth was woven for the coat, the pattern (designed and made by one of the members) was pinned to the fabric and cut out. The entire coat was hand sewn with thread that was also handmade. The buttons were made from wood that came from another members property and carved into beautiful shapes. My friend made the felted colour for the coat.
I’m sure I haven’t done justice to the long process that was involved in making this coat and I’ve probably missed some steps. Now that the coat is done it is going on tour. I’m not sure where it will end up but it certainly should be in a museum somewhere so that many more people can enjoy it.
The show also featured many other beautiful works of art made by the members of the guild. All the felted pieces featured here were made by my friend ML and the one piece at the top of the gallery of photos she describes as ‘a memory of the colour and textures of the Aran Islands on the west coast of Ireland’.
…..bicycles certainly have come a long way from the traditional black or red frame
For more vibrant photos check out WPC.
….years ago my good friend AB introduced me to Angel cards
I love my friend AB. She was the first friend I made through teaching. She’s several years older than me and she quickly became a mentor for me when I started in the teaching profession. She was the art teacher and I was the family studies teacher and our classrooms were next to each other. That was over almost 40 years ago.
AB is like a sister to me and an aunt to my children. In fact she is my oldest daughter’s godmother but she has always called all my children her godchildren. She has an unusual but great sense of style and she has always been open to new age practices. She’s fascinated with astrology and numerology, tarot cards, meditation and natural cures for illness. Over the years we have received astrological readings, spirit cards, homemade bath products and interesting books.
A few years ago AB gave A and J a set of Angel cards. Last night I paid them an unexpected visit. I had spent the entire day at the hospital with our son and I needed a change of scene and a cup of coffee. They weren’t expecting me but they greeted my warmly and invited me in. On the table were the Angel cards that had been gifted by AB and they had just finished picking their cards for the year.
The idea with Angle cards is that you meditate on what you hope to accomplish or change and then look at the overturned cards. You’re suppose to be drawn to certain cards because of the energy they exude or how they present themselves to you. Based on that you choose up to five cards. Each card has a word on the reverse side and you interpret the meaning as to how it applies to you. Here are my five words:
Faith
Compassion
Creativity
Clarity
Purification
Over at Chris’ Journaling Journey, Chris has written a post about choosing one word to live by for the year. I like this idea so I’m thinking about choosing one of the words above and focusing on working on that aspect of my life to nourish and expand.
It is also interesting to me that I was thinking about my painting goals, personal health strategies and relationships with my family and friends before I chose the cards. I’m leaning toward the word ‘clarity’. I’m hoping this year I’ll come closer to being ready to retire and moving on to a new path in my life. When that becomes ‘clear’ to me I’ll be ready to make this life changing decision.
Photo courtesy of: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLhK1Bdg8bo/TyRVQ12Ym8I/AAAAAAAAAKo/IYyhEqfPNbA/s1600/angel+cards.JPG
……on our walk tonight I took some time to find subjects for extreme close-ups
Thanks to Word Press’ weekly photo challenge for this week’s photos.
….for more information on how to participate in this week’s odd ball challenge check out Cee’s Photography
A fish toilet seat, anyone?
….if there’s one thing I need it’s help organizing my clothes
I don’t normally advertise products on my blog but I recently purchased a Pliio organizer at our school’s silent auction. Clare Kumar is a parent at our school and the inventor of Pliio (I hope I got that right). When she first showed me this product I was intrigued and so when I saw it at the auction I had to have it. Here’s a video on how this product works.
I haven’t quite decided how I’m going to use the organizers but it will either be for my 30 some scarves or for my summer tops. If you’re interested in purchasing this product you can buy the Pliio at the following:
Bed, Bath and Beyond (Canada)http://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/pliio-by-fhe-reg-clothing-filers/1041366790
Bed, Bath and Beyond (U.S.A.) http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/pliio-by-fhe-reg-clothing-filers/1041366790
The Shopping Channel http://www.theshoppingchannel.com/Closet-Organizers/Pliio-Clothing-Filers-Set-Of-20/pages/productdetails?nav=R:511666
For more information about Pliio you can contact Clare Kumar at:
NB – I don’t receive any kickbacks, commission or payment for endorsing this product.
Mama Cormier 