Monday, April 15, 2024

Walking, weaving and new discoveries

Sunday was much warmer so the wind was easier to manage, and I walked. When I can't get a walk, it shows up right away, stiff, and this that and the other thing hurts.  But a walk unkinks everything. 

I've been taking the same route for months now, thinking maybe I should go to the Preserve for a chance. But the change is happening here anyway. It's coming to me, so I don't need to go to it. 

I had a naturalist friend who encouraged repeated walks on the same route, to learn more about it with familiarity, observe the small changes that add up.

Much to see, blossoms 




A bee demonstrating why we need to leave dandelions the heck alone 


And miniature worlds underfoot right there for the finding 

And that carpet of wildflowers is back again.

Back home I weave squares while I'm thinking of other things to do, or listening to books 

I don't have any particular product in mind, though eventually it will be something. Right now its just the pleasure of developing the skill.

And I have a great YouTube find for you, Marion, from County Durham, near where I grew up, with that lovely northeastern accent and a great teacher. 

Her philosophy of just go for it, in stitching, sewing, textile arts and skills is so right. It was like home to me, and I instantly wanted to share with you. The top picture includes a skirt I've been wanting to make for ages, and will as soon as I find fabric. It's an eighteenth century design, still works. From there I went to her stitching practice.





Even if you're not a textile sort of person, just listen to her a bit and see if she isn't a calming, lovely, anything is possible kind of person. ASMR. 

Happy day, everyone and of course you got the puzzle

MOONLIGHT

and that's my last word on the eclipse!

Enjoy whatever your stitching is.


Don't hold your breath, but word is that Speaker J may bring the Ukraine $$ to a floor vote this week.




41 comments:

  1. I love walking too. It really helps with so many things. Happy New Week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's wonderful to have nice weather to walk outdoors now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since I spoke we've had more torrential rain! April.

      Delete
  3. You finally got a walk. Your foliage is ahead of ours, but things are sprouting. I'm not holding my breath.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. April is deceptive. Hoping late frosts don't catch us.

      Delete
  4. the dog ensures that I walk though the length of the walk varies with how energetic she is. right now I just have the door open listening to the birdsong. and your pin weavings are coming along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, a dog is an exercise machine! The birds here were very active and noisy this morning.

      Delete
  5. I guess it's a good idea to leave a few dandelions for the bees, at least early on when there is not much other nourishment fpr them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly. Once other flowers are out, dandelions are less vital.

      Delete
  6. Walking outdoors doesn't happen so much here now that RC has developed sciatic issues and tends to fall sometimes too. He flatly refuses to let me go by myself so I've started simply walking the halls of the building. He walks at a snail's pace (short legs) and I walk way faster and keep having to stop and wait for him which sort of defeats the purpose of trying to get exercise. At least hall walking, albeit extremely boring, means I can go at my own pace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good to keep active, whatever way works for you.

      Delete
    2. Check out the stitchery Marion and see if you think she sounds like Irene.

      Delete
    3. She does - somewhat! Irene's 'accent' was Canadian-ized I think but certainly they do sound similar.

      Delete
  7. Walking always makes me hurt more! I must be doing it wrong.
    Beautiful photos of your spring and I need to check out that Youtube teacher.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you'd like her approach. Especially to stitching.

      Delete
  8. HUsband is a great one for doing the same walk. I like to vary it a bit. What is fascinating is how very different a walk appears if you do it back to front!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's true about reversing your direction. I see things so differently in the opposite direction.

      Delete
  9. Marion's patchwork and embroidery is enviable (beautiful and the stumpwork lifelike).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting form of stump work l, different from the kind I've done.

      Delete
  10. We walk the same route quite often and there is always something new to see! Have a great week, Boud.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bye, I'm off to walk...something I keep forgetting to do. Does it count when shopping? Probably not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think it's as relaxing. One of my neighbors used to say he put in a lot of mileage at Walmart!

      Delete
  12. Re. dandelions -- YES! We let them grown in our garden with abandon. I only pull them up if they're growing in a flower pot and I'm emptying the pot to put something else in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kindred spirits. I like dandelion leaves in salad, too.

      Delete
  13. It seems I always take the same route too. But we know how it "works."

    ReplyDelete
  14. There is a great deal to be set for re-visiting the same area. We do it all the time. We just returned from an identical walk we did yesterday - added new species - insects, birds and flowers. The forest floor is starting to look very colourful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there's so much to see. With your practiced eye, particularly.

      Delete
  15. If you are suffering from pain, it can be hard to walk but I do agree with you that it will make you feel better afterwards. It just doesn't feel like it is does at the time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That may be true, perhaps with arthritis, I'm told. I don't hurt at all unless I fail to walk, then my joints complain a bit. I also lose strength quickly if I don't move enough. It's good to stay in the game. I notice my half hour walks nowadays cover about the distance of a fifteen minute walk a few years ago!

      Delete
    2. Just taking smaller steps, lol.

      Delete
  16. I love seeing all the changes in the natural world. The waking up of the “dead” trees during spring. The full bloom and greenery of summer The browns and reds fo autumn, fall, And the sleeping and waiting of winter to start the cycle again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a always interesting to note your opposite seasons!

      Delete
  17. I thought I would frustrated with the limited areas I could walk from our house - only 3 miles total of trails. But they can change so much from day to day when I pay attention to the birdsong, the growing and blooming plants, etc. Oddly enough the most striking variable is the scent in the air! There might a tree with flowers high above my head that sends the most fabulous smell downward or I can smell a change in the water level in the swamp along Black Creek, various mushrooms give off very different odors, or even I might get a nose full of cat urine smell if a male jaguar has passed through the area recently. The same stretch of trail is ever changing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I find walking causes pain which is a real ... well ... pain!
    I do enjoy joining you on your walks, though.
    I think you should join some of those squares so you can show me how!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you like the virtual walks, until you're back to the real thing. You can stitch or crochet them together. Same way Angela does with her blankets.

      Delete
  19. Getting out in the green is therapeutic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is, and few of my neighbors seem to take advantage.

      Delete

Please read the comments before yours and see if your question is already answered! I've reluctantly deleted the anonymous option, because it was being abused.