Sink and Rise...Rise

 🤍

LINK

Lyrics: How long is now? We could stay but we don't know how Some say forever Who are these men? I wanna live Forever now with them How far is heaven? Is it in the air we breathe? Some say before us And it's always been I wanna live Forever now with them How long is now? How gone is yesteryear? If you've ever been, How can you ever disappear? I have to sink & rise & sink & rise again And how far am I away from you? You've always been At the heart of Providence And I want to love forever now within Sink & rise sink & rise sink & rise again. http://vevo.ly/iqcQnw

🚫 👣

No walking today 

Laundry day keeps me busy

Weave keeps me happy

The beautiful white/tan yarn I've been using and talking about was a gift from LaceLady.

Thank you!

I wasn't sure how it would weave, as it is highly textured and somewhat delicate. All of the nubs are held on a fine, thin thread. I'm sure that there's a proper name for this kind of yarn, but I don't know it.

Anyway, I'd pulled it out to use with the Unity-Diversity-Earth bags. The hank quickly became the heap you see above. Instead of loosing my mind trying to untangle it, I merely pulled out long strands, cut them off, wound them around my fingers and set them aside.

I used some in the 'white' bag of the recent bridge visit and discovered, much to my happy delight that this yarn looks amazing when woven! The colors shift and change. It shimmers.

I started the one above, then made another. The look and feel of them is just beyond! At this point, I still thought they would be a part of the CMB project, but quickly decided to keep them for a while, as gifts. I'm not ready to let go of them and that's okay.

I was able to make a total of 5 Medicine Bags with this delicious fiber. The hints of color, the flow of white to tan, the texture and shimmer...all scream USE THE GOOD SILVER!

The one on the right (below), with the orange-purple-pink highlight colors is a gift for a friend.

I played around with trying to get photos in good light, so I took them outside. Even then, it was hard to catch the fineness, the shimmer...even when they danced on the breeze, it was hard to capture the light dancing on them.

They really are so fine. Some of my all time favorites and I'm not a shimmery gal.

I'm almost finished with How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, which I began so long ago now. 

This poem spoke to me...

I've another hank to carefully pull from, to perhaps wind into another big ball (like the black/gray one). This is the one I worked with today (top photo of two completed bags - the one on the right). The bottom pic shows the colors better: blu/red/purple. Quite lovely.

After taking the Medicine Bag photos, I took a bright picture of our "Wall of Green". This phrase had jumped to mind in a comment I made recently and I wanted to remember here how very green this time has been. 

May you hold the words of others

May you hold the work of your hands

May you hold your own words too

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2024 

Traveling

                                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEomVfNBgp4

Xavier Rudd - Spirit Bird (Bing Lounge) 

⇄

Over the past years, I've become much more of a learner.

Global, small details, expanding on solid knowledge, new ideas introduced.

All of that.

I am convinced that it has to do with the internet and the ease of learning.

I won't pretend that I actually Know much more,

but I have so much looking and growing.

Becoming deeper and wider.

Lately music has been a focus, as you can tell by the number of posts 

that include a song video.

We've been enjoying more music over here.

What I find on the web, what he listens to on the 6-in-one player 

and what we sing on the road!

Music, a wide band woven into the journey of life.

I know someone who can't believe folks that don't have books around their home.

Yes, I know what she means.

I believe that too and I believe it about music.

At work, some folks don't know who Smokey Robinson & the Miracles are!

Say what?!

⇄

I was recently asked to listen to a Bob Dylan bootleg cut and report back which I liked better, this one or the original we've heard all these years.

By being open to doing this, I learned two things about me, that I really already knew!

1. Of course I would fulfill this request, and straight away...I'm that kind of friend.

2. I prefer the 'original' 9 times out of 10.  Once I am comfortable, once something is engraved in my brain, that's what I like - the familiar.

(Does this totally contradict how I began this post?  Mmm...human nature!)

Anyway, with old music I like to sing along, know whats coming.

With movies, same.

So please don't remake The Wizard of Oz or redo Knocking on Heaven's Door -

adding some caterwalling!  It doesn't jive for me!

My comfort zone is the familiar, routine.

⇄

So, back to the learning part of this post.

While up North in November, we went on two local tours.

The first one was to The Luffa Farm,

where we learned how luffas are grown, harvested and later reproduced.

I was one of those folks who thought a luffa was a sponge and never thought too much more about it.  But they are not! 

We learned much of the information that is included here,

but we were also told that these wonder beasts can be put in the dishwasher or washing machine (no dryer) for cleaning.

Pretty amazing!

Growing

Ready to be cut down ☺

An inside view

Ready for more pealing

Home to many!

Along with a tour of the farm, time to purchase in the tiny shop, 

we were able to explore the nearby areas of growth and whimsy.

J. thought this was pretty funny

I love these types of signs!

J. converses with a neighboring pig ☺

This smelled so yummy!

Time to save some bottles!

Consider us educated!

Door to shop

Flower bed. Ha

Tea party

Truth

⇄

⇄

 

Another day, we were off to Olea Farm 

to taste olive oil!

With toothpicks and tiny cubes of bread, I tasted a variety of oils.

Who knew there could be so many flavors?!

Not me of course ☺

They of course had oils etc. for sale.

I bought a tin of seasoning for a gift.

If you go to their link, you can look, shop or watch the video of the process!

It reminded me a bit of Dee's house take down, as I wondered what those little trees must feel going through that big, bad, loud machine!

Anyway, it was fun to go do something in the vein of Huell Howser, 

something we'd never done!

The tasting room

Hearts wherever we go!

Traveling Mill

Groves far and wide

The road in and out

Looking back, Bye now!

⇄

More recent travels and discoveries soon.

May your days be filled with journey, music and learning fun!

xo

How We Visit - Where We Go

I spent a long time through last week over at Deb's place, reading all 26 of her ABC posts in one fell swoop!  I'd read some of them here and there, but one night I took the time to read from A-Z and leave comments.  What a delight!  When I got to "T"...I thought of this video clip for "C".  It is one of my all time favorites, sometimes just flashing into my mind for no  particular reason!

           

Then as I lay falling asleep, I kept thinking of more 'words' that hold meaning for me.  Such an interesting exercise.  I have always loved alliteration.  J. expresses the opposite view. Haha  As a teacher of young children, it speaks to me, so her posts or comments that strung many letter words together in a sentence were so fun for me!  The book that inspired her, in part, is one of my long-time favorites.  I had even emailed her about it, before I read the connection!!

I was able to go through all of those posts, post myself and read other favorite blogs because I've had more free time lately as I have spent the last week off of FB.  I have been feeling overwhelmed with the news of the world, our world, my world...and I thought to narrow down my world view.  It is an experiment.  So far, there are a few things I miss (but so far not enough to check in over there).  Among other 'friends', I miss chatting daily with:

Deb  

Dee 

Michelle

Valerianna

They all post fun, funny, interesting, thought-provoking and sometimes outrageous things!

I enjoy that. 

I read their "friends'" comments and have my circle widen.

I treasure that.

I've learned a lot, heard some great music, seen some beautiful artwork 

and laughed at many memes, cartoons or jokes.

I like that.

I miss that.

I miss the ability to keep up with local happenings and people I know.  But here is the truth, my truth.  Nothing changes if I don't find out the local happenings and not one of my 'friends' has reached out to me to say "Hey, I haven't seen you on FB lately...read your post saying you wouldn't be here...you ok...whatcha up to?"  Or anything of the sort.  People are into their own lives with those around them daily.  It has been quiet.  I like quiet, but that does sorta make one wonder what is real...what is true.  Ya know?  And my truth is only one of those local people reached out to me about my recent eye surgery. Once.  I can say that here.  Only my "cloth people" come here. At least that is how it seems.  (Haha Just misspelled that 'seams'!!)  In all of my blogging years family or long time friends come here barely.  I see this as my sacred space, which is an extension of Jude's spirit cloth world/community. I am so grateful for this community.  Every time I try to express that...well it is hard to do.  Folks over at Hazel's and Hazel herself help with this expression.

YOU are all my people, my circle, my tribe and you are so important to me!

As long as I am talking about 'visiting' and 'people'...

Yesterday I went to the Emergency Room.  This is a First for me in my 58 years, but my eye starting acting up again on Friday.  This has been not only uncomfortable/painful, but so disappointing.  Anyway, after talking to the 'after hours advice nurse' (covering her own butt) - who really knew nothing about something so specific & made a comment that made me worry more...I went to my local urgent care...who sent me to the less local ER.

We got there to an almost empty waiting room!  What a relief!  I thought it would be packed with flu patients!  I was nervous and not too hopeful, after all this is a specialty.  But, I still had it in me to notice & wonder...

What on earth is a "Cough Station"?!  From the fliers and trash can below, I got a bit more information.  But, I much preferred sitting there wondering at the ridiculousness of it!  I supposed if I needed to cough, I would go stand near the pillar?!! 

My vitals were taken upon check-in and information gathered (or questions merely asked).  Questions asked again in the first "little room"...then again in the next "little room"...and then yet again by the ER doctor.  I knew in my heart that I would get no answers.  The doctor was very nice and she made the phone call to the ophthalmologist on call...mine happened to be on call this weekend!  This was the first bit of 'good' news.  But, there is nothing much to do until I try to get in for an appointment on Monday. There may be yet another stitch in there to be removed.  I'll find out more when I go in.  But right now I am uncomfortable and grumpy.  If I knew there was more stitch(es) in there, I woulda saved myself one hundred bucks by NOT going into the ER!  Ugh.  I'm trying hard not to be super mad about all of this.

But, of course considering everything...it could be worse.  I can cover those charges, I can stand the pain level, I can see.  I've just had another lay low weekend and I would like it is I felt better.  2018 has already felt long.  But, for two ER patients there when I was getting past the pain may not be as easy.  A man and a young woman, both with injured hands.  I could feel the tension in the man's back and shoulders as he cradled his hand and shifted his weight.  I could feel the pain the young woman was going through as the tears silently fell down her cheeks, sitting twisted in her chair.  In my own discomfort, I had to look away.  

My people watching skills aren't always easy on me!

They didn't even open their cool toolbox...so onward to next week!

Meanwhile, things move, grow and thrive around here.  This is good.  This brings me joy.

It turns out this hummingbird loves our Aloe Vera plant!

This plant was given to us by our neighbor.  it was not doing well at that time.  

It was small and in a pot...then it fell over and moved itself into the ground.

Now it is thriving!

The same neighbor gave J. this cactus.  It looked awful!

He re-potted it and watered it and loved it anyway.

It is so much healthier now...and even has a little bloom!

Look at that!  

·♥·  Tiny bits of joy!   ·♥·

The roses around here were recently pruned back.

Now they all have gorgeous new leaves and some buds!

This one is on Mama's Rose!  Isn't she a beauty?!

 May you all feel well (enough) and surrounded by people who care.

May you all have time and presence of mind to notice, ponder and find joy!

xo

Photos by NAE ©2018

Passing

"The best way out is always through." -Robert Frost

               

Sometimes it is a crossroads, other times it is a vast wilderness that you wander around, or through...or all of that.  It just depends.

Sometimes tragedy weighs you down or lightens your load, or both.

It is different for everyone.
It is different moment-to-moment or day-to-day.

Sometimes you embrace others, while other times you work through the tangles alone.

I guess there isn't one right way because feelings are too layered and too complicated.

And they change over time.

Things change.

You may know someone for a lifetime...for a while...for a moment.

You may never really know them, even while you do.

In the end it all just is.

And how or if it matters is yours alone

It is ours to live

and die

and live...

May we all have what we need on the journey

May we be able to help others with what they need

May we all, in some way, be powerful enough to soar

In the end, may we find and hold peace in our hearts, even if that's hard to do

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2017

*Background...
My grandson's father was killed.  They are moving through this time of grief.  Those who know them move through this time too.  We offer love, support and a donation if we can.
Every loss, is a loss.
Healing required.
Here is the link to their Go Fund Me, if you should want to donate to that healing.
https://www.gofundme.com/treyshealing

The above video is a partner (in my mind) to this one, recently posted by my daughter.
I have posted it here in the past, years ago.
Bekka brings it home to her listeners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXg4lBmIrLE